He once loved her beyond all reason. Dare he risk heartbreak again?
Leaving her first love behind was the hardest thing Regine, Duchess of Heartwaite, had ever done. Her marriage of convenience to another man saved her family, even as it laid waste to her heart. That was years ago, however. Now widowed, she’s ready to begin her life anew. But all it takes is one glimpse of her former sweetheart to realize the feelings she buried so long ago are still there, stronger than ever. Unfortunately, his feelings for her are decidedly colder…
Solicitor James Brentwood has only one mistress these days—his work. Being jilted by his betrothed taught him love simply wasn’t worth the cost. But Regine is back in England now, more beautiful and alluring than ever. And it’s not long before he begins to feel things he has no business feeling. Especially not for her. Not again.
But when a nemesis intent on destroying Regine emerges, it’s James who must come to her rescue. Can they overcome their differences and painful past to claim their happily ever after? Or will their second chance at love end as disastrously as their first?
Uncaged Review: A wonderful second chance romance and a fitting story to this series and for James, who we met previously in the series and truly gives us insight on who James is and how he became the man he is. When the love of his life leaves him, marrying a Duke for convenience – James is heartbroken and throws himself into his work. But when Regine comes back to London, two years after her husband passes away – James has a hard time tamping down his feelings and when they continue to be invited to the same gatherings, avoiding her will be difficult.
This is a sweet story of second chances and this author can draw in the reader from the very first pages. Even though this is part of a series and characters reoccur, they can be read as standalones and you won’t be lost. A charming story that historical romance readers will enjoy. Reviewed by Cyrene
Uncaged: Welcome to Uncaged! Your newest release, A Portrait of Dawn will release April 8th. Can you tell readers more about the book and the series, The Sawtooth Range?
The Sawtooth Range Series has evolved from a western stand-alone of a woman frontier doctor to a family saga. Comes the Winter is a traditional romance introducing Lena Sommer and Evan Hartmann who complement each other, becoming the characters who now anchor the series. In Redeeming Lies, the Hartmann’s purchase their ranch north of what is now known as Sun Valley, Idaho. A Portrait of Dawn takes place one year later when the Hartmann’s welcome their first guests. My intention with the series is to continue to build an ensemble cast where guests come to the stunning beauty of the Big Wood River and the magnificent Sawtooth Range to fall in love under the magic of the landscape. Additionally, I will continue to introduce historical figures who appear in cameo roles, hopefully anchoring the stories in time and real place.
Uncaged: You are very passionate about researching the western history of the U.S. and readers can go to your blog to read up on some of that research. Is your love for the western history what inspired you to write?
I’ve been writing stories since I entered Dick and Jane’s storied world in first grade – great characters – flat plots. My interest in western history sparked when I moved after college graduation to take a teaching position in Arizona. Weekend hikes through the desert washes and wild mountains allowed my imagination to run free. It was also the first time I hiked packing a six-gun, because rumors of crusty, protective prospectors abounded in the Superstition Mountains. It was a transformational time for a girl raised between corn fields in the flat farmlands of the Midwest. Later, as I traveled through Idaho and Oregon along the iconic pioneer trail, my fate was sealed as a western writer. Landscapes inspire my writing spirit. The pistol I carried in Arizona was stolen, but my son replaced it with a lever-action rifle with my name engraved on the stock. What a great gift!
Uncaged: What are you working on now that you can tell us about?
Another intriguing setting is the Washington state San Juan Archipelago. The islands between British Columbia and the U.S. share a long history of smuggling, of both humans and goods. A Light from Friday Harbor is set in the prohibition years and is part mystery and part love story. I’m currently writing the sequel set in 1939 as England stands on the brink of war with Germany. While some hold onto the fading hope of a negotiated peace, the reality soon makes clear to all that war is inevitable. It’s the theme of the novel. Conflict and seasons of life take us to places we’d rather not travel. Ultimately, it is the story of acceptance and resilience. The Wisdom of Songbirds should be complete by the end of 2020.
Read the rest of the interview in the issue below.
Samantha St. Claire divides her time between her homes in Idaho and the Olympic Peninsula. Traveling along the old Oregon trail provides her with the wild landscapes and historic inspiration for this exciting new series, The Sawtooth Range. Her own pioneer roots have stirred her interest in the early settlements of Idaho and Montana.
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“The greatest thing a human being ever does in this world is to see something . . . to see clearly is poetry, prophecy, a religion all in one.” – John Ruskin Dawn’s future looms before her like a blank canvas, and only through the artist’s eyes will she see her true self and find the courage to paint the first stroke.
It’s 1890 and Idaho Territory is celebrating statehood. The event will draw two individuals who, like the new state, must redefine and prove themselves. While the artist, Luke Brennan, is captivated by Dawn Fairburn’s bewitching, jade-green eyes and brilliant mind, the world characterizes her as less than an acceptable model of womanly perfection. Both are lacking in society’s estimation, he for his Irish heritage and she for her deformed leg, but together they may prove them all wrong. Like the new state, their combined strengths will give them the courage to step into the wilderness of their uncertain future.
Excerpt
Unbridled Imaginations “The greatest thing a human being ever does in this world is to see something . . . to see clearly is poetry, prophecy, a religion all in one.” John Ruskin
JUNE 24, 1890 For a future yet to be written, an unbridled imagination is a dangerous thing. Although Dawn held to such philosophical convictions, as she turned to her slumbering father sitting beside her, she allowed herself to travel that treacherous path leading her thoughts to notions of what might be. Even in sleep, with his chin nodding gently against his chest in easy rhythm to the rocking motion of the train, he looked dignified and even . . . presidential. Dawn smiled to herself, pleased by the notion. She considered her father’s pleasing features, his strong, square jaw, the touches of gray giving him that suggestion of experience and wisdom that could build confidence in his constituents. She pressed her lips together and lifted one eyebrow a slight degree higher than the other. Why not? Her skin prickled at the image. If he could go from legal counsel to the next U.S. Senator for New York, why not President? And she would be the one to help put him there.
Dawn shifted in her seat, frowning. Mr. Pullman’s train cars were a definite improvement from those wooden seats of early years when she and her father traveled from New York to Washington. But comfortable, they were not. She envied his ability to fall asleep so effortlessly—the benefits of a man with a clean conscience.
She reached down to retrieve her father’s brochure from the floor, the one he’d read to her with such enthusiasm moments before he’d fallen asleep. Now, with the campaign before him, why did he insist on this trip into Idaho Territory? They needed to be planning, not traipsing off to the frontier for . . . Reading the advertisement again, she felt a scowl pinch her brow.
Come to the Hartmann Ranch where you can experience the frontier ranching life.
As the train rounded a bend, the view from her window shifted to the east, the direction from which they’d been traveling since yesterday morning. Streaks of palest yellow heralded the break of day. It should have cheered her as it usually did, but unlike her usual day of ordered routine, this one held too many uncertainties. She looked down at the twisted brochure still gripped in her hands. The word adventure peeked between her fingers. It wasn’t a word that often appeared in her vocabulary. Adventure conjured up images of safari hunters in wild, foreign lands.
Dawn lowered her head to her father’s shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of his pipe tobacco and starched collar. How could she ever remain impatient with him? With a skill she’d honed since earliest childhood, she focused her thoughts on this moment. In this moment, she was blissfully content. Tomorrow was yet to be. With luck, she would see the adventures only from the windows of a rolling train.
From the train window, the indistinct reflection appraised the serious young woman with green eyes. Dawn had been told often enough they were the same shade that made her mother so attractive. But unlike her mother, Dawn lacked the golden locks. Her brown hair favored her father’s, as did the firm line of her jaw. And like her father, her thoughts rarely strayed from her duty to support and serve.
Acius, the darkest fallen angel in the world, knows what I am. And he wants me—to be his queen, to be his puppet. He’ll stop at nothing, which leaves me with only one choice.
Kill him.
Normally, my prey run from me. But he’s the hunter too. When he delivers word of his plan to destroy Magic’s Bend with an enormous serpent, it’s obviously a trap meant to ensnare me.
But I have no choice. To save my town, I must skirt the edge of death. I must outrun him and outwit him, or we will all lose—our homes, our lives. Everything.
Uncaged Review: The fourth and final book in this series and it takes the finale to another level. With the dark fallen angel Acius, wanting to detroy Magic Bend, and Aeri to be his pawn – so the group will have to go big – or lose everything. This is a fantastic finale, the action is non-stop – sprinkled with humor and Declan and Aeri finally acknowledge their feelings to each other. This is a fitting conclusion to this series and I clung to the pages. Even though Aeri’s series is completed in this set, Mari’s story will continue on and I’m looking forward to staying in this world the author built a little bit longer. Reviewed by Cyrene
Lady Caroline knows all about rakes. One ruined her after all. Allow a rake to kiss you once under a flowering pear tree, shame on him. But allow another to kiss you beneath a full moon of the summer solstice, well, shame on herself. She’s not falling for that sort of trick no matter how handsome Lord Marksman is or how alluring his strong arms or how tempting his achingly wicked lips are. Caroline’s learned a few lessons. In fact, she’s even recorded them in a chronicle to teach the ladies of London how to avoid these very traps. But she can’t leave until she’s taught Marksman a lesson. A very good one on how a gentleman ought to treat a lady…
Lord Pierce Marksman isn’t certain why he finds Lady Caroline so tempting. Yes, she’s blessed with waves of thick blonde hair, lush pink lips, the sort that make a man ache. But he’s met beautiful women before. And of course, her curves are lush and sweet, the kind that could keep a man warm for days. But he’s seen better. Hasn’t he? The problem is he can’t bloody remember. That’s a damn shame because he needs to find a rich wife with a sterling reputation to bolster his family name after his brother destroyed their’s. And that’s not Lady Caroline…
The more their path’s cross the harder it is to deny that he wants her. Maybe needs her. And when Caroline’s in trouble he has a decision to make. Does Pierce save himself or her?
Uncaged Review: Another great installment of the Chronicles of a Bluestocking series, and this time out we have Pierce and Caroline’s story and I think this is my favorite of this series so far. A great second chance romance and who doesn’t root for an underdog? I will admit I wanted to shake some sense into Caroline a couple times, but Pierce was a loyal and fierce friend and suitor, who never wavered. The one issue, and I’ve been seeing this too often for historical romances lately, is that the cover doesn’t match the characters at all. It really does bother me that the attention wasn’t paid to the book at all, although it’s a lovely cover. But it didn’t diminish the great story inside.
Don’t let the page count on Amazon fool you, it’s 161 pages, not 21 as it’s marked. Reviewed by Cyrene
When the bond Peaches shares with Simon is interrupted, Peaches knows something is wrong.
He must locate Simon before his body begins to expand. With nowhere to turn, Peaches visits their new next-door neighbor, Cecelia, an eight-year-old ice mage, and Tristan’s new apprentice. Cecelia’s guardian, Rags, a Garmr hound informs them they need an experienced mage to help them find Simon.
Peaches knows just who to call and locates Frank, a thorny dragon with a bad attitude and magical ability. Together, they must locate Simon before it’s too late and Peaches grows to the size of a bus. Worse, it’s been thirty minutes since Peaches last had a sausage and he’s getting hungry…
Uncaged Review: The fans of Peaches wanted a story centered around the hellhound, and Mr. Sanchez delivers with gusto! This is a fun short story with plenty of action and a story of substance you don’t often see with the short novellas.
Simon and Peaches bond has been interrupted, and that only means trouble – for both. Peaches must enlist the help of Cecelia, the child ice-mage that is in training with Monty, her guardian (I’ll let you read about that little nugget) Rags, and a dragon, Frank.
I laughed and cheered on Peaches and his “Brew & Chew” club, and it was a fun read. It will be a lot of fun to read more adventures from this little trio, and if that doesn’t get you, Peaches has a crush on Rags…..and remember – meat is life. Reviewed by Cyrene
Uncaged: Welcome back to Uncaged! Your newest release on March 20, is the 5th book in the Heart of a Scot series, To Enchant a Highland Earl. Can you tell readers more about this book and the series?
To Enchant a Highland Earl is a witty, enemies-to-lovers historical romance about Kendra MacKay and Broden McGregor. Set in the early 1700s, the characters in this 8-book series are friends whose paths to happily ever after are rather bumpy. However, despite villains, heartache, and the occasional misunderstanding, they find their hard-won happiness.
Uncaged: Unfortunately, these are very trying times for the world with the COVID-19 virus. How is this affecting you and your writing? Are there any in-person event plans that you have to alter so far?
I was supposed to have attended a conference in Virginia in March, which has been postponed until September. I’m hopeful this crisis will be over by then.
My writing schedule keeps my home, and it’s not unusual for me to not leave the house for a week at a time. So, the social distancing isn’t affecting me as much.
I know there are a lot of my readers are finding this time difficult, and I’m trying to reach out to them and give them a chance to share their feelings and concerns via social media.
Uncaged: What are you working on now that you can tell us about?
I just finished NEVER DANCE WITH A DUKE, the 7th book in my Seductive Scoundrels Series. It was my 41st book! I’m finishing the 2nd Edition of THE EARL’S ENTICEMENT, and I’ll be writing TO BARGAIN WITH A HIGHLAND BUCCANEER next.
Uncaged: Past or present, which authors would you love to sit and have lunch with and why?
I’d love to have lunch with Christi Caldwell, Kathleen Woodiwiss, and Jane Austen. Jane Austen because she was the impetuous for Regency Romance, Kathleen Woodiwiss, because she caused me to fall in love with Historical Romance, and Christi Caldwell, because she, amongst several other historical authors, are amazingly gifted.
Read the rest of this interview in the issue below
USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author COLLETTE CAMERON® scribbles Scottish and Regency historical romance novels featuring dashing rogues, rakes, and scoundrels and the strong heroines who reform them. Blessed with an overactive and witty muse that won’t stop whispering new romantic romps in her ear, she’s lived in Oregon her entire life. Although she dreams of living in Scotland part-time.
A confessed Cadbury chocoholic, you’ll always find a dash of inspiration and a pinch of humor in her sweet-to-spicy timeless romances®.
She knows precisely what she wants… And it’s not the obstinate Highlander, Broden McGregor. Even if the handsome brute did recently inherit an earldom and a sizable fortune and now must wed to produce an heir. So why doesn’t Kendra object when the womanizing libertine boldly steals a kiss? And why does his promise of more sensual encounters thrill, rather than infuriate?
Fate turned his life upside down… Not only did Broden inherit a title he never anticipated, someone wants him dead. At great peril to herself, Kendra saves his life, and the stunning lass he once regarded as his nemesis, becomes something more. But as his best friend’s adored sister, she’s off-limits. Besides, Kendra is prickly, opinionated, and holds him in contempt, though he has no idea why.
Antagonism transforms into sizzling desire… Neither can deny nor resist the passion between them as secrets, temptations, and long-hidden love are revealed. But at what cost?
Excerpt
Now, as he guided Kendra down the passageway, her honeyed heat, mere inches away, beckoned him. As did her perfume, light and tempting with a promise of spring. Fully aware, he flirted with danger and perhaps risked a slap, as well, he bent his neck and inhaled deeply.
Her womanly scent tunneled through him, an intoxicating elixir of femininity and Kendra.
She glanced up, curiosity rather than censure in her amused gaze. A winsome smile played around the edges of her soft, plump lips. “Are ye sniffin’ me, Broden?”
He chuckled as they turned the corner leading to the top of the stairs. No sense in denying the obvious. “Aye, I am. Ye always smell amazin’.”
His superior height gave him a delicious view of the tantalizing hills and valleys her bodice revealed. He was a lecher for taking advantage of it but, damn his eyes, if he could haul his attention away from the lush display.
Desperate for a distraction, he said, “Yer fragrance contains lemon?”
Those winged eyebrows of hers that so often pulled together in annoyance and scorn when in his presence, shied skyward, as a smile just this side of teasing, curved her mouth.
“Are we truly havin’ a discussion about my perfume?” A giggle escaped her, and she clapped a palm over her mouth.
He adored her laugh but was rarely gifted the chance to hear it.
After a lifetime as a badass who takes no crap, Sam Knight is afraid of everything. It’s like she woke up one day and boom. She’s just . . . different.
In a tiny seaside town, Sam learns to cope with her new “normal” only to discover normal isn’t really on the table. Not when monsters lurk in the shadows and something’s following her home at night. Something not human.
After she witnesses the impossible, Sam’s not sure whether she’s crazy or just a magnet for danger. Either way, when it comes to attraction, there’s nothing stronger than what she feels for her new protector.
Alex Channing is a hunter. A supernatural assassin who’s spent his life training to know what’s waiting around the corner. But even his killer instincts can’t prepare him for Sam—or what’s hunting her. As his feelings for Sam grow, so does his guilt. This is one secret hell-bent on destroying its keepers.
Uncaged Review: In a supernatural world, Sam has lost her memories of a night 2 years ago, and since then she has bouts of times she doesn’t remember what happens. Afraid of almost everything, she tries to keep a low profile and works at a store called Oracle, selling metaphysical herbs and goods. The store is owned by a true oracle, but Sam doesn’t believe in any of it. She has no idea that she’s been stalked, until she runs into Alex. Alex is a Hunter, who takes out feral werewolves and is actually sick from a werewolf bite. With venom running through his veins, he’s losing strength and time, without a cure to be found.
When Sam finally learns of the dangerous world she lives in, it will finally come down to her remembering what happened that night two years ago, but will it cure Alex or will it piece her back together again? I’m not telling, but this is a well written story with a couple good twists I didn’t see coming. This is a six book series, and all of them are released. Plenty of action, some suspense and some sweet moments. Well worth the time. Reviewed by Cyrene
Blessed or cursed with a connection to the souls of others, Sloan Jordan can see the best in people…and the worst. With nothing more than a glance at a photograph, she can judge the living from the dead and the good souls from the evil ones. For twenty-seven years, she’s kept her ability a secret, but eleven young women have been murdered in the mountains of North Carolina, and Sloan may be the only hope of finding their killer.
She has just agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger–who is as alluring as he is terrifying–shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can’t see his soul at all.
Now Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe.
Uncaged Review: This book caught me right away – within the first chapter, and that doesn’t happen too often. I liked the concept of this world that is beginning to build with this book. Sloan can see if a soul is evil or good just by seeing them or even seeing a picture. She can also tell if the person is alive or dead from a photo. She also seems to be able to think about a person or say their name aloud, and the person seems to show up. She’s never told anyone about her abilities except her best friend, Adrienne. When Detective Nathan comes along, she slips up and she finally gives in and tells him. To her surprise, he doesn’t act like she’s a nut job.
When attending a festival, she sees someone she can’t read, and that’s never happened to her in her life. When she finally finds him, they both find that they have many of the same abilities, only his tend to be on the darker side.
I enjoyed the characters, and I didn’t mind the love triangle that really isn’t there, but I have my ideas on what/who both Warren and Sloan are – but I guess we will find out. The three of them, Sloan, Nathan and Warren are hunting a serial killer and some of it is a bit predictable, but it was a good ride getting there. I don’t know that I will continue with the series or not, time will tell – but I’d probably be more encouraged to if it was under Kindle Unlimited. Reviewed by Cyrene
Uncaged: Welcome to Uncaged! Your latest releases have been a Highlander time travel series with a co-writer, Cecelia Mecca. How did this partnership come about? Can you tell readers more about the series?
It’s so great to be here! Thank you so much for having me! So, the Scottish time travel series, Highlanders Through Time, came about when Cecelia Mecca approached me about working together at the NINC conference. I was excited to work with her because I love her writing, and we share a similar fan base. I’d had an idea some time ago about writing a time travel series, and Cecelia had written one before, so after telling her my idea, we decided to go for time travel, but we came up with a new idea in case I wanted to use my other one in the future. This series revolves around four modern day billionaire bad boy brothers who are tossed back in time to Medieval Scotland! Say that ten times really fast! Anyway, Cecelia and I both share a love for Scotland, and I was pretty steeped in Highland history, so the book delves into the political drama surrounding the death of the Scottish king Alexander. We started asking a bunch of ‘what if’ questions and built are plot from there. What if the king’s death was not an accident but a conspiracy? What if the king of England was involved? What if there was a witness to the plot? What if time travel was possible? There are four books, and each book focuses on one of the brother’s journeys back through time. The overarching plot though is a quest to find their mother who disappeared five years earlier from modern day New Orleans where they live. Since the day she disappeared their father has been claiming that she was a time traveler who was snatched back to her time, but everyone thought he was crazy. Turns out, he was not so crazy after all. When the father falls critically ill, the brothers go to his home, and discover an ancient chant and a time travelling cross and the journey begins! They set out to try to time travel and bring their mom back to try to help their dad come out of the coma he’s in.
Here is the blurb for book one, Sinful Scot, which is out now!
In a time he doesn’t belong, in an alliance she shouldn’t have made, they’ll fall dangerously, hopelessly in love.
New Orleans, 2020. Billionaire Rhys McCaim doesn’t believe for one second that his missing mother is a time traveler. Still, his father insists that she didn’t leave them willingly but was pulled through time to her true home in medieval Scotland. But when he and his three brothers test out an ancient time-traveling spell to appease their dying father and Rhys is catapulted to thirteenth-century Scotland, he can’t exactly deny it anymore. Suddenly he’s a Highlander in a land on the verge of war. He needs to get back to his time before all hell breaks loose, but first he must find his mother. Luckily, fate drops the perfect guide in his path. She’s brilliant, beautiful and bold, and he’s drawn to her in a way he’s never been drawn to anyone or anything before. But he can’t afford to be distracted from his mission or lower his carefully constructed guard.
Scotland, 1286. Maggie Irvine is betrothed to a vicious man who cares only of wealth and power. Marrying him will restore her family’s reputation, however, saving her siblings from lives of misery. She has resigned herself to her fate, but when a mysterious, handsome stranger magically appears before her out of thin air, her plan—and the stranger’s life—are in jeopardy. And the only way to save him is to risk everything. As she comes to learn the shocking truth of what he hides, Maggie discovers what happens when duty collides with desire and long-abandoned dreams rise to the surface.
Bound by secrets and lies, Maggie and Rhys are entangled in the brewing battle for the Scottish throne. With his knowledge of the future, Rhys possesses the powerful ability to alter history. Yet, to do so successfully, he must let Maggie past the defenses he’s spent a lifetime building. Now, an alliance that began in desperation becomes a need that will leave them both torn between what they should do and what love demands.
Uncaged: What are you working on next that you can tell us about?
I just turned in the first draft of Seductive Scot, which is book 3 in the time travel series. After I take a much needed week vacation, I’m going to be delving into a new historical series that combines Scottish heroes and heroines with the Regency period. I started my career in the Regency period, but I hopped over to the Medieval period three years ago to write my Medieval Scottish books. Fifteen books later, I think I’m ready to shake things up again. It’s really important to me to write what I’m feeling passionate about and not to try to force something just because it’s selling well. Medieval books have been very good to me, but I’m feeling the Regency period again, so I’m going to take a leap of faith and go for it.
Read the rest of the interview in the issue below
Julie Johnstone is a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author. Scottish historical romance, Scottish historical time travel romance, and Regency historical romance featuring highlanders, aristocrats and modern-day billionaire bad boys are her love, and she enjoys creating both with a hefty dose of twists, plenty of heartstring tugs, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
Her books have been dubbed “fabulously entertaining and engaging,” making readers cry, laugh, and swoon. Johnstone lives in Alabama with her very own lowlander husband, her two children – the heir and the spare, her snobby cat, and her perpetually happy dog.
In her spare time she enjoys way too much coffee balanced by super hot yoga, reading, and traveling.
In a time he doesn’t belong, in an alliance she shouldn’t have made, they’ll fall dangerously, hopelessly in love.
New Orleans, 2020. Billionaire Rhys McCaim doesn’t believe for one second that his missing mother is a time traveler.
Still, his father insists that she didn’t leave them willingly but was pulled through time to her true home in medieval Scotland. But when he and his three brothers test out an ancient time-traveling spell to appease their dying father and Rhys is catapulted to thirteenth-century Scotland, he can’t exactly deny it anymore. Suddenly he’s a Highlander in a land on the verge of war. He needs to get back to his time before all hell breaks loose, but first he must find his mother. Luckily, fate drops the perfect guide in his path. She’s brilliant, beautiful and bold, and he’s drawn to her in a way he’s never been drawn to anyone or anything before. But he can’t afford to be distracted from his mission or lower his carefully constructed guard.
Scotland, 1286. Maggie Irvine is betrothed to a vicious man who cares only of wealth and power. Marrying him will restore her family’s reputation, however, saving her siblings from lives of misery. She has resigned herself to her fate, but when a mysterious, handsome stranger magically appears before her out of thin air, her plan—and the stranger’s life—are in jeopardy. And the only way to save him is to risk everything. As she comes to learn the shocking truth of what he hides, Maggie discovers what happens when duty collides with desire and long-abandoned dreams rise to the surface.
Bound by secrets and lies, Maggie and Rhys are entangled in the brewing battle for the Scottish throne. With his knowledge of the future, Rhys possesses the powerful ability to alter history. Yet, to do so successfully, he must let Maggie past the defenses he’s spent a lifetime building. Now, an alliance that began in desperation becomes a need that will leave them both torn between what they should do and what love demands.
Excerpt
Chapter One
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. ~ Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”
The Present 2020 New Orleans, Louisiana
“Don’t tell me you’re gay,” asked the too perfectly put-together blonde standing before Rhys, her eyebrows arched in a question mark. “That would be a shame,” she continued, grinning at him. “All the best-looking men seem to be.”
The bass guitarist strummed more chords from the stage of the Dungeon, and the notes vibrated into Rhys McCaim’s chest, rumbled through his veins, and pounded into his head. Normally, he’d be starting to feel loose by now, unwinding from a long week of running his family’s billion-dollar shipping company and all the responsibility that came with it. But not tonight. Not when Reikart was with him.
He didn’t need to turn his head to see his younger brother’s glare. He could feel it burning a hole in his temple. Rhys was here for the music and Reikart for the women, which was why Rhys rarely frequented this underground club—or any club, really—with his brother. Reikart tilted his head none too discreetly at the raven-haired woman standing beside the blonde. The two friends were a package deal apparently, and Reikart wanted to open his part of the package.
“You’re really not going to dance with me?” the blonde said, managing a perfect pout while sharing a quick what-the-hell look with her friend. Rhys circled his shoulders, trying to loosen the knots that had formed during the board meeting earlier that day. He mentally cursed his brother for asking to tag along tonight, and he cursed himself, too, for relenting. All three of his brothers were grown men, but as the eldest, Rhys felt responsible for them, as if he had to be the stand-in parent after their mom had disappeared five years before and their dad had slid into insanity. “I just don’t dance. Sorry.” He shrugged.
Her pout grew more pronounced. “We don’t have to dance, if you know what I mean.” She offered a coy smile.
He knew exactly what she meant, but he didn’t do that, either, or at least he hadn’t in the last year. Hell, he could be a priest with his celibate lifestyle if he had any desire to, which he didn’t. “I appreciate the offer, but I have a girlfriend.”
“Just my luck,” the blonde said, raising her hand to his chest and slipping one long, pointy nail between the buttoned material. She gently raked the sharp end along his skin. “I spot the hottest guy here, and he just so happens to be the last honorable man alive.” With that, she withdrew her hand, flipped her hair over her shoulder, and motioned to her friend. “Come on, Ally.”
Emily Lange is a fourth-generation farmer with fields to seed, machinery to fix, grain to sell, and a lot to prove to a community who doubts her abilities. But in the heart of the Canadian prairies, family always comes first. Her aging uncle, whose dementia is worsening, needs constant supervision and Emily is forced to hire a caregiver to see to his needs during spring seeding.
Max Fraser, a nurse-practitioner, has his future mapped out. He’s set to begin his new position with the Apex Medical Center and settle into his new life, which hopefully includes finding the woman of his dreams and beginning a family. That is, until he meets Emily and she convinces him to take a detour, move to the farm, and care for her uncle.
The lines of their temporary business arrangement begin to blur as their attraction grows. But neither of them are prepared to abandon their dreams. Not even for each other.
Uncaged Review: Two dreams become one. A realistic and beautiful look at a family of farmers and the love and loyalty to each other. Emily is taking over the family farm, but it’s tough when she also has her older uncle with dementia to keep watch over. Emily hires her best friend’s brother Max, who is a nurse with a dream of his own. If you don’t know anything of a farming life, you will learn a lot in this book, of the struggles, the hard work, and the unique intelligence of a farmer’s life. It will also show you a realistic look of the progression of dementia, and the family that is devoted to each other. And if that’s not enough we find a love story.
Emily is outgoing and outspoken and Max is a bit more reserved, watching how the two navigate their growing attraction to each other, specially knowing Max will only be around for the planting and then he will move on to his new position. I went into this book with a bit of trepidation – as so many contemporary romances seem the same to me, but this one is a wonderful surprise and is highly recommended. Reviewed by Cyrene
Samantha St. Claire divides her time between her homes in Idaho and the Olympic Peninsula. Traveling along the old Oregon trail provides her with the wild landscapes and historic inspiration for this exciting new series, The Sawtooth Range. Her own pioneer roots have stirred her interest in the early settlements of Idaho and Montana.
USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author COLLETTE CAMERON® scribbles Scottish and Regency historical romance novels featuring dashing rogues, rakes, and scoundrels and the strong heroines who reform them. Blessed with an overactive and witty muse that won’t stop whispering new romantic romps in her ear, she’s lived in Oregon her entire life. Although she dreams of living in Scotland part-time.
Julie Johnstone is a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author. Scottish historical romance, Scottish historical time travel romance, and Regency historical romance featuring highlanders, aristocrats and modern-day billionaire bad boys are her love, and she enjoys creating both with a hefty dose of twists, plenty of heartstring tugs, and a guaranteed happily ever after.