Kissing the Highlander Anthology-Review,Guest Post & Giveaway

Kissing The Highlander Anthology
by Terry Spear, Eliza Knight, Willa Blair, Vonda Sinclair, Victoria Roberts
Release Date: February 10, 2015
Genre: historical, romance, Highlander

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KISSING THE HIGHLANDER anthology
by Terry Spear, Eliza Knight, Willa Blair, Victoria Roberts, and Vonda Sinclair
RELEASE DATE: February 10, 2015

KISSING THE HIGHLANDER is an anthology consisting of five Highland historical romance storylines set in the 1600s of the Scottish Highlands. Some of the tales are steeped in Scottish brogues, superstitions and legends of fae, witches and magic. Most of the storylines reference a circle of Standing Stones where legends are born and magic ensues. Because of their fast paced, short length each relationship is a story of insta-love or one of immediate attraction where in the end each of our couples will get their happily ever after. All five short stories can be read as a standalone novella within each respective series but Victoria Roberts’s KILTS AND KISSES ends on a slight cliff hanger leaving the reader wanting to know what happens next.

All of the relationships are love matches; the $ex scenes are intimate without graphic imagery; there is some violence but not vivid. All five authors pull the reader into the sweeping Highlands where green pastures and blue skies make way for building romance between warring clans. Five short stories where Highlanders find their one true love.You can never go wrong with a Highlander !!

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His Wild Highland Lass by Terry Spear

Terry Spear: https://terrylspear.wordpress.com/

Lady Sorcha Barclay fled her brother-in-law’s castle because of his unwanted advances. An awe-inspiring circle of standing stones captures her attention and she captures the attention of the laird who owns the land.

Laird Ronan Daziel takes Sorcha to his castle to protect her and give her a home. Before long, he wants much more. He’s duty-bound to take a wife whose clan wishes an alliance with his. So why does he long to have something more? Everyone loves the lass as much as he does. But he has pledged his loyalty to his clan. Taking Sorcha to wife could lead to battle on several fronts. How can he wed another when she stole his heart from the first moment he laid eyes on her near the ancient standing stones on his lands?

REVIEW: HIS WILD HIGHLAND LASS is a prequel novella to Terry Spear’s THE HIGHLANDERS historical romance, (slightly paranormal) series. For fans of the series you may recognize James MacNeil; in the novella James is only five years old.

The storyline follows the introduction and subsequent marriage of Laird Ronan Daziel and Lady Sorcha Barclay. Sorcha is on the run from her brother in law and finds solace in the arms of Laird Ronan. What ensues is a story of insta-love in the Highlands of Scotland. The novella can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. If you are a fan of historical romances blended with Highlander heat, then Terry Spear’s The Highlanders series is sure to please.

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The Highlander’s Charm by Eliza Knight

Eliza Knight: http://www.elizaknight.com/

They should be enemies… But passion and love know no bounds.

Returning from France to his family’s manor in England, Samuel de Mowbray discovers that his two younger sisters have been stolen away to the Highlands by the Sutherland brothers. Determined to save his sisters from the hands of vicious warriors, he convinces the king to send him north on a mission. While there he discovers not only that his loyalties are beginning to waver but that a head-strong, feisty lass could destroy everything he believes.

Catriona Buchanan needs to travel north to gain the help of her distant relations in saving her brother and ridding her castle of brutal English knights. Unfortunately, it appears the only way to escape their clutches is by trusting in the very thing she mistrusts the most—an Englishman. Minute by minute, the man who should be her enemy breaks down her defenses. There is something different about him and she can’t help but be captivated by Samuel, and his steamy kisses.

REVIEW: THE HIGHLANDER’S CHARM is an historical, Highlander romance novella focusing on Samuel De Mowbray and Catriona Buchanan. For fans of Eliza Knight’s STOLEN BRIDES Highlander series, Samuel is the brother of Arbella and Aliah Mowbray first introduced in The Highlander’s Reward (book 1) and The Highlander’s Conquest (book 2).

The storyline follows Catriona and Samuel’s escape from Castle Buchanan. When an English regiment invaded the castle, Catriona found her knight in shining armor was none other than one of the Englishman who stormed the castle. A journey across country finds Catriona and Samuel falling in love but not before Samuel’s life is threatened and he nearly dies.

The reader is reintroduced to Arbella and Aliah, as well as their husbands and we get a little more information about their history and story. This novella can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. The epilogue fast forwards the series six months where Samuel will be offered a liaison position between Scotland and England.

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Heart of Stone by Willa Blair

Willa Blair: http://willablair.com/

Riding home after two years away, Gavan MacNabb encounters a lass and her deerhound in a moonlit circle of standing stones. Little does he know the garland of bluebells she weaves and the spell she sings will change the course of his life.

Marsali Murray doesn’t really believe the old wives’ tale that making a chain of bluebells by the standing stones under a waxing moon will bring true love, but she’s desperate to try anything to escape the boring, everlasting sameness of her life. Anything except marrying a man her father chooses for her. When her deerhound, Corrie, insists on following Gavan, Marsali decides that’s the excuse she needs to have the adventure she craves. She’ll go where he goes, whether or not he is the man promised by her spell.

Gavan has already seen much of the world denied to Marsali. He’s ready to settle down. She is eager to spread her wings. Can they find what they need with each other?

REVIEW: HEART OF STONE is a prequel novella to Willa Blair’s Highland Talents historical, Highland romance series. This is Gavan MacNabb and Marsali Murray’s storyline. Some of the series characters are introduced and fans of the Highland Talents will recognize some of the names.

Marsali is a woman who knows her prospects for a husband are slim at the family Keep, so she tempts fate and magic-enter Gavan MacNabb-the man with whom she would start her new adventure but a man betrothed to someone else. While Marsali looks to the future, her father will see that her future is with someone else.

HEART OF STONE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. No prior knowledge of the series is necessary for your enjoyment. The premise looks at family life and duty when your are neither the heir nor ‘the spare.’ Sometimes you have to create a new path from which to carve your own future.

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Kilts and Kisses by Victoria Roberts

Victoria Roberts: http://victoriarobertsauthor.com/

Since the deaths of her parents, Ceana Gunn has lived in the shadow of her uncle and his family. She wants nothing more than to see her clan the way it was when her father was still laird. But her uncle has other ideas. Ceana soon discovers that the only refuge to be found is in the last place she expects—the arms of her enemy.

Luthais MacKay wants to be left alone. His only interest is training his prized hawks. He certainly doesn’t have time to listen to the petty squabbling of his clan when his father travels to Edinburgh and leaves him in charge. But when Luthais discovers a mysterious woman on his lands, he’s determined to unravel her secrets…one layer at a time.

REVIEW: KILTS AND KISSES is the second installment and first novella in Victoria Roberts’s historical, romance Highland Spies series. This is Ceana Gunn and Luthais MacKay’s storyline.

Victoria Roberts pulls the reader into a tale of forbidden love between enemy clans. While Ceana believes the magic of the standing stones has brought Luthais MacKay into her life, it is the thawing heart of her cousin Sorcha that seals the deal for our Highland couple.

KILTS AND KISSES is a story of insta-love between Luthais and Ceana. As Ceana longs for a husband and lover, she is doomed to watch from the sidelines as her aunt and uncle bring any number of suitors for her younger cousin. What ensues is a case of mistaken identity and apologetic amends from a woman who has uncovered a lie.

KILTS AND KISSES can be read as a stand alone but ends on a bit of a cliff hanger. I am not sure when and if the story is to be continued, but it does leave the reader wanting more.

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My Captive Highlander by Vonda Sinclair

Vonda Sinclair: http://www.vondasinclair.com/

Can unexpected passion and a little ancient magic turn enemies into lovers?

During a fierce storm on the west coast of Scotland, Shamus MacKenzie barely survives a galley wreck only to be captured and held for ransom by the enemy MacDonalds.

Aided by the gift of second sight, Maili MacDonald, sister of the ruthless chief, senses the handsome, dark-haired stranger will somehow be important in her life. Compelled to help him, she insists on providing him food and a healer to see to his injuries. She knows she is daft to fall in love with this captivating warrior after one forbidden kiss but cannot help herself. With each visit from Maili, Shamus finds his thoughts consumed by the enchanting lass.

Can he convince her to help him escape the dungeon and prevent the impending battle between the two clans?

REVIEW: MY CAPTIVE HIGHLANDER is a Highlander novella in Vonda Sinclair’s HIGHLAND ADVENTURE historical romance (slightly paranormal) series. This is Shamus MacKenzie and Maili MacDonald’s storyline-a tale of forbidden love between warring clans.

Maili has the gift of second sight and she is drawn to Shamus MacKenzie-a prisoner, held for ransom, in her brother’s dungeons-a man she believes to be her future mate. Beaten but not down, Shamus finds himself drawn to his captor’s sister and pleads with Maili to help him escape but Maili’s brother has other plans for both the prisoner and his sister.

MY CAPTIVE HIGHLANDER is another short story of insta-love between two people from warring Highland clans. Vonda Sinclair pulls the reader into a story of romance where falling in love can be a dangerous thing.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

It’s wonderful to be back at The Reading Café today. Thanks so much for having us.
Willa Blair, Eliza Knight, Vonda Sinclair, Terry Spear and I are here to celebrate our newest release Kissing the Highlander. The anthology contains five brand new novellas by bestselling authors of Highland romances that will delight you with mystery, intrigue, romance, drama and so much more!

This was such a fun project, especially since we love all things Scottish. Set in different time periods, our five tales share a common theme: that love can be found with a little help from ancient standing stones and a wee kiss or two.

We hope you enjoy the blurbs from our wee tales.

Victoria

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Willa Blair, author of Heart of Stone:
Marsali Murray doesn’t really believe weaving a chain of bluebells within the circle of standing stones under a waxing moon will bring true love, but she’s desperate for more adventure than she’ll ever have in her remote village. Little does Gavan MacNabb know the lass he meets one moonlit night, the spell she sings and her determined deerhound will change the course of his life.

Eliza Knight, author of The Highlander’s Charm
English knight Samuel de Mowbray is determined to save his sisters from the Highlanders who stole them. But while in Scotland his loyalties waver and a feisty, headstrong lass could destroy everything he believes. Determined to save her clan, Catriona Buchanan must travel north to ask for help. Unfortunately, to do so, she must trust the Englishman. But there is something different about him and she can’t help but be captivated by Samuel, and his steamy kisses.

Victoria Roberts, author of Kilts and Kisses
Ceana Gunn wants nothing more than to see her clan the way it was when her father was still laird. But her uncle has other ideas. Ceana soon determines that the only refuge to be found is in the arms of her enemy. When Luthais MacKay is left in charge of the MacKay clan, he discovers a mysterious woman on his lands and vows to unravel her secrets…one layer at a time.

Vonda Sinclair, author of My Captive Highlander
After a galley wreck in a storm, Shamus MacKenzie is taken hostage by the enemy MacDonalds. Maili, sister of the ruthless chief, feels compelled to bring this dark warrior food and see to his injuries. With one forbidden kiss, Shamus steals her heart. Can he convince the enchanting lass to help him escape the dungeon, preventing a battle between their clans and saving many lives?

Terry Spear, author of His Wild Highland Lass
Lady Sorcha Barclay fled her brother-in-law’s castle due to his unwelcome advances. A circle of standing stones captures her attention and she catches the eye of the local laird. Laird Ronan Daziel gives Sorcha a home. He’s duty-bound to take a wife to ensure a clan pact. Taking Sorcha to wife could lead to battle. How can he wed another when she stole his heart?

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Scotland’s dramatic landscapes have witnessed thousands of years of human history. No one truly knows what secrets the mysterious standing stones hold. What do you believe? One commenter will receive a paperback copy of Kissing the Highlander (US and Canada only, please.)

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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8. Giveaway open to USA and CANADA only

9. Giveaway runs from February 20-24,2015