Falling for the Highlander

January 9, 2017
When feisty but fainting-prone Murine hears her guardian half-brother crassly offer her body to Highlander Dougall in exchange for horses, she knows that only Dougall’s honor has spared her virtue. Escaping that night on her pet bull, Henry, Murine meets up with Dougall and his brothers. Soon they realize she is the woman who recently saved their sister, Saidh, and they vow to escort her to safety. The kindhearted, bantering brothers seem as anxious to protect Murine’s virtue from the obvious passion building between her and Dougall as to discover the cause of mysterious attacks on their small band, from which Murine receives a head wound and an arrow puncture. Sands (The Highlander Takes a Bride) imbues her scenes with physical comedy, as when Murine calmly sidesteps the brawling brothers (“it was rather entertaining to watch”) or Saidh attempts to prepare Murine for her wedding night, demonstrating with a carrot and bread: “Had she not already been bedded by Dougall, she would most likely be horrified and dismayed at this display.” The lovers’ courage and passion match the mounting dangers, cementing the bond between them in this enjoyable romp. Agent: Jenny Bent, Bent Agency.

December 15, 2016
A Scottish lass goes rogue. When Lady Murine Carmichael runs away from home on the back of a bull, she doesn't know where she'll end up. She only knows she has to get away from her wicked English half brother, who's just offered her body to Dougall Buchanan in lieu of cash payment for some horses. When she ends up running into that very same Scotsman and his brothers, her hasty plan seems doomed even though they were also horrified by her brother's offer. But when they find out she's a Scot, too, as well as a beloved friend of their sister Saidh, they instantly agree to escort her to their home. This quickly becomes a dangerous endeavor; not only have many of Murine's family members met with suspicious deaths, but it's clear that Murine herself is at risk after several attacks from anonymous villains. Despite the danger, Murine and Dougall are unmistakably attracted to each other, and through a few fits and starts, begin a romance on the run. After Murine is kidnapped, their new love is tested, and Sands' quick pacing adds remarkable suspense to the straightforward story. Readers with a weakness for gallant Scottish lairds will be delighted by the simplicity and purity of Murine and Dougall's romance--especially the few wild and erotic scenes out in the elements. A love story as bighearted and exciting as the highlander at its heart.

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