Her
Highland Rogue
Violetta
Rand
Genre:
Historical romance, Highlander
Publisher:
Random House/Loveswept
Date
of Publication: June 21, 2016
ASIN:
B00XG9BWZE
Number
of pages: 170
Word
Count: 52,000
Cover
Artist: Random House
Book
Description:
Errol
MacRae’s days of gallivanting across the Highlands are nearing an
end. His father’s health has taken a turn for the worse, and rumors
are swirling that the crown intends to transfer ancient lands into
the hands of the MacKenzies, the clan the MacRaes are sworn to
defend. Errol expects to lead his men into battle soon. So he isn’t
pleased when his father instead sends him to retrieve a beautiful
flame-haired lass who has fled into the mountains.
Orphaned
as a young girl, Aileana vividly remembers how the MacRaes rescued
her and welcomed her into their clan. For ten years, she has served
them loyally—until the night she’s nearly despoiled by one of the
laird’s captains. Aileana risks her life and her reputation to seek
refuge in the snowcapped peaks of the Five Sisters, the one place
that has always felt like home. But after the strong-armed,
strong-willed Errol tracks her down in a blizzard, she finds herself
tempted to risk something even more dangerous: her heart.
Excerpt:
Aileana
opened her eyes, confused by her surroundings. She’d fled the
MacRae stronghold after Broc cornered her in the kitchen, long after
the other women had gone abovestairs to sleep. She’d stupidly
volunteered to keep watch over the remaining men in the hall in case
they required more bread and meat—or in Broc’s case, more ale.
Once she’d refilled his cup, even leaving a full pitcher behind for
the great beast to finish off, he stumbled after her, smelling of
sweat and spirits, and drooling on her neck.
She’d
known him nearly all her life—at least for the time she remembered
being alive. Before her tenth year, she held no clear memories. The
occasional flash of a face or spoken word, but nothing that could
connect her to a family or place. So she wandered through life
nameless, though the MacRae laird had offered to recognize her as
part of his clan. But whenever she considered it, something inside
her warned not to do it. For once ye denied your name, whether you
knew it or not, your fate might change. And she didn’t want to lose
her only chance at true happiness. Deep down, Aileana knew there was
more to her existence than being a bastard.
That’s
what half the women within the MacRae keep called her. Behind her
back mostly, but sometimes directly if she was blamed for burning the
bread or spilling wine.
She
kicked off the fur covering her from neck-to-foot, cold air sending a
chill down her body. A fire burned at the opening of the rock
enclosure, and she padded over to it, desperate for warmth. She
stared beyond the flames, the world outside covered in white. Winter
had come early to Kintail. And only by God’s grace had she met a
woman last night in the hills. How could she turn down an offer of
hot stew and a pallet to sleep on? So she’d walked quietly with the
stranger to her cave.
As
soon as she finished eating and drained her cup of wine, sleep
overwhelmed her. That’s all she remembered. And now she woke up
alone. But there was a loaf of bread and a cup of milk on the table
by her pallet, hopefully meant for her to eat. Her stomach growled
with hunger.
“Good
morning,” Aileana heard as she reached for the cup.
She
turned and met the woman’s smile. “Thank ye for allowing me to
stay here last night. I’m afraid I have nothing to offer you, no
money or goods to trade.”
The
woman joined her, picked up the loaf of bread, then tore it in half.
“I don’t remember asking for payment, child.”
“But
your generosity must be rewarded in some way.”
“Aye,”
she agreed. “Your company will do nicely.”
Aileana
took a bite and it melted in her mouth, as tasty as what she cooked
every morning in the MacRae kitchens. “Whatever you wish,” she
said. “I prefer staying here. I wasn’t prepared for the snow. If
ye hadn’t found me, I’m afraid I would have perished in the
cold.” Though she had a fur cloak and thick-soled boots, she hadn’t
had time to gather anything else before she ran away.
The
woman sat down. “My name is Sgùrr.”
“Aileana.”
The
woman studied her in silence, her dark gaze wandering more than once
to her hair. “Who is your father?”
Aileana
took another sip of milk, then put the cup down on the table. The
idea of admitting to a stranger that she had no family was as
humiliating as what Broc had done to her. “I don’t know.”
“And
why were you roaming the hills alone? Surely someone will miss ye?”
“Laird
MacRae is my guardian.”
“Your
mother has passed?”
“I’m
afraid I know nothing about my birth.” She walked the couple feet
to her pallet and picked up her cloak. “Eight years ago a MacRae
guard found me in the forest, cold and hungry, close to death I’ve
been told. He bundled me in a blanket and took me home with him. I’ve
lived there ever since.”
“Has
the laird been kind and generous?”
“Laird
MacRae is not only kind, but treats me as his own daughter. A day
never passes without him greeting me. Sometimes I wonder what would
have become of me if the MacDonalds or MacLeods found me instead.”
The
older woman nodded. “Don’t put much stock in the affairs of men.
Clan feuds are the last thing a lass needs to worry about. ’Tis
your heart and charitable acts that define your character.”
About
the Author:
Raised
in Corpus Christi, Texas, Violetta Rand spent her childhood reading,
writing, and playing soccer. After meeting her husband in New
England, they moved to Alaska where she studied environmental science
and policy before attending graduate school. Violetta then spent
nearly a decade working as a scientist, specializing in soil and
water contamination and environmental assessments.
Violetta
still lives in Alaska and spends her days writing romance. When she's
not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys time with her husband,
pets, and friends. In her free time, she loves to hike, fish, and
ride motorcycles and 4-wheelers.
Website:
http://www.violettarandromance.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ViolettaRand
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I like the historical aspect of this. Sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to read more about their relationship!
ReplyDeleteThank you for informing me about this boook.
ReplyDelete