Showing results by author "Mary Wine" in All Categories

Two hotheaded Highlanders, the offspring of feuding lairds, are tricked by the King's Regent into a desperate choice: marry or die. Bhaic MacPherson is more disposed to lead his clan into battle than stay married to the daughter of his enemy. But perhaps the intensity of his feelings has more to do with desire than hostility. Ailis Robertson wanted a husband, not a savage - but when her family was faced with a deadly ultimatum, she had no choice.

After proving himself on the field of battle, Ramon de Segrave is appointed to the Council of Barons by Richard the Lionheart. But instead of taking his most formidable warrior on his latest crusade, the king assigns Ramon an even more dangerous task - woo and win the lady of Thistle Keep. Isabel of Camoys is a capable widow with no intention of surrendering her valuable estate. She's fought long and hard for her independence, and if the price is loneliness, then so be it.

Buchanan Mackenzie is a new laird, and he's about to be tested. When his half-brother is killed, he must seek vengeance or face the rage of his clansmen. Beyond spilling blood, fate offers him another solution. Taking the daughter of his enemy will appease his angry men, but it leaves him struggling to find peace over making a hostage of a woman. What sort of man settles his disputes with a helpless woman?

In the Highlands, strength is the currency of choice and if you can't protect what is yours, be prepared to pay a ransom. Annis is a prize. Born of a royal blood line, the fact that she's illegitimate isn't really important. With her mother gone, her kin barter her and send her off to Scotland where her husband's family is eager to see her produce heirs to their line with impeccable lineage.

Brenda Grant has no desire to marry. Ever since her first, horrible marriage, she's made herself into a hellion of a woman to keep men from wanting her. But the Campbells, her previous husband's family, are determined to find her a new husband. Highland Chief Bothan Gunn is smitten by the woman who won't be tamed. It takes all Brenda's willpower to resist the brawny Highlander who takes her to safety.

Terin Campbell had been obedient. And she'd been desperate. But now? Many would say she'd won the day. Triumphed over the evil planned for her by her late husband and his mother. Terin was still alive and faced with the question of what to do with the rest of her life. And there was only one thing she was certain of: for the rest of her days, she was going to follow her own path. Strike out for a place where rumors said a woman could make a place for herself. It might be myth, it might end in her death, but Terin was going to take the chance. She was finished with being submissive.

Athena Trappes thinks she's in love...until she discovers the scoundrel only wanted her as his bit on the side. Enraged, she does what any spirited Englishwoman would do: set fire to his belongings, incur his dangerous wrath, and flee - immediately. With nowhere else to turn, she seeks freedom in the wilds of Scotland. Highland Laird Symon Grant lost his wife years ago, and it's his duty to find another. Athena is not exactly what the clan has in mind for him, but Symon's heart burns with unexpected passion for the woman who would risk everything to be free.

As Lady Justina Wincott's brutal guardian, Viscount Biddeford promises any disobedience from her will cost her son dearly. A pawn in his games of court treachery, the beautiful widow is forced to tempt secrets from his enemies and seduce allegiance from his friends. Yet even Biddeford's wrath won't make Justina sully the only man of honor she's ever known.... Sir Synclair has earned his honor in blood and muck. War taught him the way to victory is rarely clean - but the passion Justina sparks in him is not to be ignored.

Faolan McKay was the spawn of recklessness. A child conceived by moonlight outside the bonds of wedlock. His mother was banished to the rocky shores of the Highlands where she committed an even greater sin than seducing the laird's son - she survived. And raised her son to be everything everyone whispered about him. To be feared was better than any position or sword. Cora Mackenzie has been promised since she was five. But her intended has never even penned her a single note. Cora takes to the moors, finding satisfaction in building strength and pitting herself against the elements.

Laird Diocail Gordon has just come into his title and inherited his father's run-down castle and rag-tag clan. He knows the sorry sight of the castle would send any woman running, but is determined to find a wife to help return his home to its former glory. Widow Jane Stafford is on a mission - return to England even if it means trudging through the Scottish Highlands on foot. Her travels lead her straight to the path of danger until a mysterious, brawny man comes out of nowhere and saves her - and the spark between them is immediate.

Marcus MacPherson is every inch the fearsome Highlander. He's used to men averting their eyes and women cowering before him. He thinks he'll eventually settle down with a nice, obedient bride. Instead, he gets Helen Grant. Stubborn as the day is long, fearless, and dedicated to raising as much hell as possible, Helen is definitely going to challenge Marcus. And challenge him some more. And then some. It's anyone's guess who'll win this battle of the heart.

Katherine Carew: Illegitimate daughter of an English earl. Abducted to Scotland at age 14. No family, no reputation, no rules. Rolfe McTavish: Heir to an honorable Highland laird. Can't believe how well tomboy Kate can fight. About to learn how much of a woman she really is. Scotland is seething with plots, the vengeful Gordons are spoiling for a fight, and the neighboring clans are at each other's throats.

Brodick McJames is an earl in name only. To secure his clan's future he needs an English wife. Mary Stanford, daughter of the Earl of Warwickshire, will suit perfectly. He's never met her, but what matter? She'll grace his bed eventually, and once she bears his child he need see her no more.Anne Copper looks just like her noble half-sister, but she was born illegitimate, and can never forget it. The best she can hope for is to stay a serving girl in her own father's house.

Cullen McJames will not have his honor sullied, certainly not by his clan's nemesis Laird Erik McQuade. So when McQuade tells the Court of Scotland that Cullen has stolen his daughter's virtue, Cullen steals the daughter instead. Since his brother wed a fetching lass, Cullen's been thinking he, too, needs a wife. A marriage could end the constant war between the clans. And looking on Bronwyn McQuade but once has put her in his dreams for a week.... But Bronwyn won't go quietly.

Tonight, Dugan planned to make sure the lass venturing out to peek at her future got what she was looking for. One moonlit encounter. That was all it might ever be, and yet, Dugan craved more. At the end of the harvest, Samhain bonfires had been held under the moon for as long as anyone remembered. Were they sinful? Perhaps. But they were fun, and Dugan intended to give himself another chance to see the lass he'd encountered at the well.

Two besties living life - apart from each other for now - so join them as they catch up over the week with a good wine beverage, while reminising on the laughs, cries, highs and lows they have shared over the years. Besties or soul sisters - you decide!