Bridget Rose is used to being teased by her friends Myra and Eimhir about being a dreamer, “waiting for her brave knight”—but Bridget knows that the right man is out there somewhere! What she isn’t expecting is to see him in the courtyard of Chieftain Urqhart’s castle when they all congregate there for Christmastide in the Highlands. Why is it that she feels she knows him? Her friends are shocked by her uncharacteristic behaviour, but Bridget is determined to get to know the handsome, smiling Alec Stewart. She throws herself into the fun of the season, but her heart is in her mouth: is this real? Will Alec feel the same way about her as she does about him?
In dark, wintry Lochdubh, Christmas Cheer is about as welcome as a flat tyre on a deserted road. The Calvinist element in town has always resisted what they view as secular frivolity, so for most of the townsfolk there'll be no carols, feasting, gifts - or even whisky on Christmas Day! And for PC Hamish Macbeth there's no holiday from crime - he finds himself hunting for a missing cat belonging to a lonely spinster. Curt and unfriendly, the woman is convinced her pet has been stolen but once behind her heavily-bolted door, Hamish can spot her true problem - she lives in fear, though of who or what he cannot guess. Then someone steals a Christmas tree and lights from the nearby village of Cnothan. So it is up to Hamish to sort all these problems out - and he had better do it quickly, for the church bells will soon peal on the eve of Christmas. This one-off standalone story is a special Christmas treat for all fans of Hamish Macbeth and can be read at any point in the ongoing series. Also features the first UK publication of a Hamish Macbeth short story, Knock, Knock, You're Dead! Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series: 'First rate ... deft social comedy and wonderfully realized atmosphere.' Booklist 'It's always a treat to return to Lochdubh.' New York Times 'Readers will enjoy the quirks and unique qualities of the cast ... Beaton catches the beauty of the area's natural geography and succinctly describes its distinct flavour.' Library Journal 'Befuddled, earnest and utterly endearing, Hamish makes his triumphs sweetly satisfying.' Publishers Weekly
Myra Munro is devastated beyond words when her twin, Jaime, is killed in the service of the King. Her parents, strong in their grief, urge her to do honour to her brother’s memory and nurse his best friend Ewan back to health. Ewan has not only lost his best friend but needs time and space while recovering from his injuries. Suffering himself, he understands that Myra is numbed with grief, but in the long road back to health, Jaime’s twin Myra is the one bright light in his world. He cannot deny his feelings for her. But Ewan has a secret: a sacred trust. While dying on the battlefield, Jaime gave Ewan a Christmas gift he has been carrying with him to give to his beloved twin sister. But before Ewan can find the right time to speak with her about it, they find themselves in mortal danger…
"A great read! The story moves right along..." Enjoy five fast-paced, engrossing stories about Highlanders and their brides. Book 1 The Highlander's Last-Minute Bride Jane MacKay has little choice: if she does not agree to wed lecherous old Laird Sutherland, her terrified younger sister Heather will be handed over to him in her stead. Jane cannot allow that to happen. With a heavy heart, she journeys to the Sutherland Keep to marry a man whose infamy has spread far and wide—a man who has already buried two wives. Book 2 The Highlander's High-Stakes Bride Gareth and Brodie Hay, brothers born just a twelvemonth apart, are famous for their carousing in the local tavern and love of gambling. When their mother becomes seriously ill, their father insists that one of them must take a wife to help out. Neither wants to give up his free and easy lifestyle—so they decide to let a throw of the dice determine the loser. But the bride is not at all impressed! Book 3 The Highlander's Substitute Bride Crissa and Owena Macleod, auburn-haired identical twins, have always been close. But after a tragedy, Crissa thinks she may never recover from losing both her husband and her darling child. She spends her days quietly in the Maclean Keep—until one day her twin, Owena, comes to her begging for help. Will Crissa take Owena’s place in an arranged marriage, so Owena can marry the one she truly loves? Book 4 The Highlander's Reckless Bride Owena Macleod, daughter of Laird Iain Macleod and twin sister to Crissa, has always yearned for an adventurous life. She falls in love with a brave and dashing King’s Spy, and is distraught when her father arranges her betrothal to Laird Kenrik Maclean. She pleads with her twin Crissa to take her place in the nuptials, and Owena takes her name and slips away… but life will not be kind to her…. Book 5 The Highlander's Rescued Bride Anice Gordon has been a sore trial to her parents from the day she was born. Headstrong, impulsive and forever in trouble, she is a lass who seems to attract disaster. Robert Ogilvy, her brother Donal's best friend, grew up having to rescue Anice from one mishap after another. He is fond of Anice, but when her father announces that the two shall be betrothed, Robert is dismayed.…
Isla Campbell likes nothing more than being out in the bracing wind and snow of the highlands, hunting or practicing her skills with a dagger. Finlay MacGregor has spent most of his adult years as a warrior, fighting for his King or his clan, sating his appetites with tavern wenches and enjoying a wager with his friends. Then one day, Finlay’s friend Malcolm MacGregor challenges him to a wager, but laughingly refuses to tell him the penalty if he loses. Confident, Finlay agrees… but when he does indeed lose, finds that his task is to escort Malcolm’s headstrong sister, Isla, on one last hunting trip before she has to face the distasteful task of choosing a suitor. With bad grace, Finlay takes Isla out hunting, but after an accident ends up recuperating in the Campbell keep. Isla is his unwilling nurse, and although both feel the flames of attraction, they battle each other as much as his wound. It seems that they are fated to remain apart. In a final showdown, Finlay has to prove himself worthy of his wild huntress. But can he give up his warrior’s lifestyle?
Three friends, each of whom has been emotionally hurt, have dreams on Christmas Eve that bring healing. Maggie Maguire, who’s been betrayed by an ex, finds herself in Ireland where Finn O’Byrne, Prince of the Fae, gives her hope. Elizabeth Shelton, who has little sympathy for women who don’t break glass ceilings, finds herself in Victorian England...as a maid. Broc Haden, the warlock duke of the castle, helps her see the light. Caroline Campbell, whose husband was killed in war, is transported to Scotland just before the fatal battle of Culloden where Gavin McLean, a shapeshifting warrior, helps her overcome her loss. It is only when the three women meet for lunch after Christmas that they realize the three men sitting at the bar are the heroes from their dreams.
Crissa and Owena Macleod, auburn-haired twins who are impossible to tell apart, have always been close. As children, one of their favorite games was to pretend to be each other to confuse their family and friends. Crissa thinks she may never recover from losing both her husband and her darling child, and spends her days quietly in the Maclean Keep — until one day her twin, Owena, comes to her begging for help. Owena has fallen in love with a dashing young man who does mysterious work for the King. To her dismay, her father has arranged her betrothal to Kenrik Maclean. With tears in her eyes, Owena exerts all her wiles to persuade Crissa to take her place. Can she not remember what it was like to love someone so deeply? Surely she will do this for her sister? After all, she says, as a widow, Crissa can marry whomever she likes! Crissa finally gives in, but although the wedding passes without the groom being any the wiser, neither twin could possibly have foreseen where their deception would lead.…
A daughter of Scottish spies who is 'touched by the fay'. A dispossessed Laird, raised in secrecy by loyal servants. And cruel rival clan leader who is determined to keep his spoils... Isobel Hay is the youngest daughter of Owena and Rory Hay, an unconventional couple that have been loyal spies for the King of Scotland all their lives. Their two eldest children, Gavin and Mairead Hay, have also proved themselves brave and loyal in service to the king—but flame-haired, blue-eyed Isobel is different. Her family have always known that their strange young daughter has been touched by the fay, but they are ill-prepared when she is drawn into clan warfare surrounding the man she has always known she will marry—the rightful Laird Mackenzie. Fergus Mackenzie was driven out of his home by the McGregors in a night of death and flames when he was but a child of eight summers, and hidden away by loyal servants until he is old enough to reclaim his heritage. But on that dreadful night, so long ago, Fergus had a vision of a red-haired babe that he thought of as his salvation. Both he and Isobel, raised in different homes, have always known that they were meant to be together. But ten weeks before Isobel is to wed Fergus, the warlike McGregors set fire to the Hay keep and steal Isobel away—along with her wee niece, Seona. Now it is up to Fergus to unite the restive clans who may have reason to rise up against the McGregors and the Gunns, and rescue his Isobel before they decide she is of no use to them and kill her. But will the clans support him? Are there enough of them? And... will he get there in time?
HIGHLAND HEROES Enjoy the entire collection of Series 3 in one value-packed, exciting boxed set! Readers have their say about books in this series: "A great read—could not put it down!" "I loved the story...please write more" "I have put off reviewing your stories... you get so into them that you just want to go on to see what is going to happen in the next book!" Book 1: THE HIGHLANDER'S BRAVE MAID Gavin Hay is devastated when he learns that his parents, who have spent their lives in dangerous service to the King, have disappeared while on a mission. He sets off to find them, not knowing whether he'll be rescuing or bringing him their bodies—with his fey sister Isobel's whispered parting words echoing in his brain: "Gavin, you must trust only a lass who is marked in scarlet, with hair like a lad..." Book 2: THE HIGHLANDER'S CANNY LASS Mairead Hay is excited when her parents break the news that it is, at last, time to put her training as a spy into practice. She is not so sure, however, that her partner is to be a young man assigned to learn more from her father. "A man I dinna know?" she says. "How can I be partners with such a person?" Her father had brought home many such young men before, men who had dreams of being a hero and ears too proud to listen to a lass... Book 3: THE HIGHLANDER'S DAUGHTER Anne Maclean is a highlander's daughter: born of a proud clan—and, like her aunt and uncle, a brave and loyal spy for the King of Scotland. The Maclean clan has many enemies, but none so vicious and determined to kill them all as Col Pearce, a King's soldier who saw his career crumble by ill health after being wounded by Mairead Hay, Anne's cousin. Col has vowed revenge, and does not hesitate when he gets his chance to kill Anne's partner Hew and take her captive. Book 4: THE HIGHLANDER'S PROPHECY A daughter of Scottish spies who is 'touched by the fay'. A dispossessed Laird, raised in secrecy by loyal servants. And cruel rival clan leader who is determined to keep his spoils... Isobel Hay is the youngest daughter of Owena and Rory Hay, an unconventional couple that have been loyal spies for the King of Scotland all their lives. Their two eldest children, Gavin and Mairead Hay, have also proved themselves brave and loyal in service to the king—but flame-haired, blue-eyed Isobel is different. Her family have always known that their strange young daughter has been touched by the fay, but they are ill-prepared when she is drawn into clan warfare surrounding the man she has always known she will marry—the rightful Laird Fergus Mackenzie. Book 5: THE HIGHLANDER'S FUGITIVE Falsely accused of being a witch. Betrayed by villagers whose lives she had saved. Sorcha has no choice but to run for her life... When a mother and newborn die under her care, Sorcha McLeod is forced to flee with her childhood friend, Dermid Mackenzie, who rescues her from a frenzied mob of torch-bearing villagers.
