The Bannerman Brothers Series by Tessa Murran

Should he choose love, or survival?Seaton Bannerman is a dark-hearted bastard, a reiver and a savage, or so decent folk say. He lives a loveless existence at Darkcliffe Manor, in the Scottish Marches. When his father offers sanctuary to a desperate orphan, his world is turned upside down. Brenna Curwen is everything he should not want, soft, gentle, unsuited to life at the edge of lawlessness... moreShould he choose love, or survival?Seaton Bannerman is a dark-hearted bastard, a reiver and a savage, or so decent folk say. He lives a loveless existence at Darkcliffe Manor, in the Scottish Marches. When his father offers sanctuary to a desperate orphan, his world is turned upside down. Brenna Curwen is everything he should not want, soft, gentle, unsuited to life at the edge of lawlessness. He doesn’t need another mouth to feed or soul to protect for he has a future of duty and misery to face. Seaton shuns her until he notices that Brenna has hair like spun gold and amber eyes that see into his soul. But he is not alone in noticing her, and a rival, every bit as ruthless as he is, aims to seduce Brenna. Meanwhile, King James begins to stamp his authority on the Marches, once and for all. Amidst the turmoil of a way of life under siege, Seaton must confront a terrible choice between his heart and his head. If he gets it wrong, he will lose everything.Orphaned Brenna Curwen, with nowhere else to turn, is given shelter by an old admirer of her mother’s - Machar Bannerman, Laird of Darkcliffe Manor. But her protector is not what he seems, and if she is to survive in his crumbling tower house on the edge of the moors, she must find a way to deal not just with him, but also his three bastard sons. The worst of them is Seaton, more a savage than a gentleman, who makes it clear from the start that he resents her presence. As danger comes calling, so does a ruthless suitor, and Brenna has no one to turn to for protection save mistrustful, surly, beast of a man - Seaton Bannerman. Immerse yourself in the desolate beauty of the Scottish moors, as Seaton’s Choice takes you on a journey of savage passions, of old rivalries curdling into fresh violence, of evil plotting and power-hungry clans. Can love blossom in a mire of murder, mayhem and destruction? Extract from Seaton’s ChoiceThe young man reached a door and thrust it open without knocking. He held it for her to enter. Brenna walked into a surprisingly bright room with large windows, a study from the looks of all the books lined along the walls. There were curios of all kinds, crowded in - stuffed animals in bell jars, metal implements, swords and guns mounted on the walls. It had the feel of an educated mind behind it, one quite different from the brute of a man standing beside her. The dark lout persisted in staring at her without saying anything, and it was unnerving. The room was stuffy from a blazing fire in the hearth, and her face grew hot under his gaze. ‘What do you stare at, Sir,’ she said, tremulously, not quite catching his eye.‘You,’ he spat.‘Please do not, for I do not like it.’‘But I do, so I will keep doing it,’ he said, bringing his face closer to hers.Footsteps sounded, coming closer. The man took hold of her arm in a tight grip. ‘Whoever you are and whatever you are after, take this advice. Watch yourself around Laird Bannerman. He has the cunning of a thousand foxes, and a black heart to boot, and I fear you do not have the guile to manage him.’His eyes held hers, and for an instant, there was almost a hint of concern in his gaze. Brenna could feel his breath on her face, the tang of whisky carried with it. She glanced at his mouth, closer now, and held her breath.‘Seaton, unhand her, now.’ Brenna turned to see an older man staring at them with a livid look on his face. The man let go of her arm, and it felt as though the flesh still burned where he had touched her. less

Love’s cruelty has frozen his heart. Can she thaw it?Ronan Bannerman is fierce in battle and gentle in love. Women are drawn to his swoon-worthy good looks, kindness and strength. He falls hard for the daughter of a rich and powerful Laird into whose service he is pledged. But his bastardy and his father’s notoriety stand in his way, and when his proposal of marriage offends the wrong people, he ends up face down in the snow in the frigid Scottish winter, fighting for his life... moreLove’s cruelty has frozen his heart. Can she thaw it?Ronan Bannerman is fierce in battle and gentle in love. Women are drawn to his swoon-worthy good looks, kindness and strength. He falls hard for the daughter of a rich and powerful Laird into whose service he is pledged. But his bastardy and his father’s notoriety stand in his way, and when his proposal of marriage offends the wrong people, he ends up face down in the snow in the frigid Scottish winter, fighting for his life. Salvation comes in the form of Isla Gillies, an outcast, who is as wild as the bleak woods to which she has been banished. She is brave and darkly beautiful, but she might also be a witch. Ronan is indebted to her, and when a betrayal leaves the lass in fear for her life, what can he do but vow to keep her safe? But is that his only motive for keeping her close?As bitter enemies emerge from the shadows and begin to circle, Ronan and Isla must seek sanctuary in the frozen north, and in each other. Ronan must confront not only his thirst for vengeance but also his unwanted desire for Isla. As his heart begins to thaw, will the bitterness of unrequited love twist his soul and darken it forever, blinding him to anything other than vengeance. Or will he conquer the demons within, to take a chance on happiness? Ronan’s Healing takes the reader on a stirring adventure of spurned love, brutal power struggles and smouldering passion, as Ronan and Isla battle their way through the snowy lowlands of the Middle March to the wild and lawless Highlands. Ronan’s Healing is the second of The Bannerman Brothers Series but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone book.Extract from Ronan’s Healing He held her eyes. ‘What a strange one you are,’ he said, laughing. ‘That is not the first, or last time, I will hear that said of me, Ronan Bannerman.’Isla swept the rag down his arm again.‘Isla, do you want to know what I find beautiful about you?’ he said.‘No.’‘You don’t like compliments, lass?’‘I don’t like flattery. Men do it to get what they want.’‘Aye, you are right there. So I shouldn’t tell you that you have eyes like the sun shining through ice, clear and deep. I will not comment on the creaminess of your skin, the way your hair shines like coal when the light catches it. I will keep my own counsel on your courage and kindness. And I most certainly will never say that you have a body to bring a strong man to his knees, and a mouth that begs to be kissed. Will that satisfy you, Isla, lass?’For a moment, Isla could scarcely draw breath. What was happening? Why could she not take her eyes off his mouth? ‘We should stop this. You should do the rest yourself, Ronan,’ she whimpered, too late, for he reached for her and before she knew it, his mouth met hers and Isla was lost. less

Does revenge burn brighter than love?Caolan Bannerman is ashamed to be the bastard son of a disreputable laird. When a high-born lass sparks desire in him, he suffers her mockery and a burning humiliation. He vows never to feel the agony of youthful infatuation again. Years later, a death raises him up, and Caolan must wed to retain his newfound power... moreDoes revenge burn brighter than love?Caolan Bannerman is ashamed to be the bastard son of a disreputable laird. When a high-born lass sparks desire in him, he suffers her mockery and a burning humiliation. He vows never to feel the agony of youthful infatuation again. Years later, a death raises him up, and Caolan must wed to retain his newfound power. Luckily for him, a man who once despised him is desperate to marry off his daughters, and one is the lass responsible for Caolan’s humiliation - blonde temptress, Sybilla Munro.It is time to even the score, but Caolan ends up with more than he can handle in a lass as cunning as she is comely, and with a grudge to equal his. He may long to humble Sybilla, but first, he must survive enemies who wait in the shadows, sniffing out his weaknesses. And it turns out that Sybilla might just be his greatest one.Bold beauty, Sybilla Munro, had a glittering future. But when Caolan Bannerman discovered her being shamed, it all crashed down. With her family fortunes ruined, she ends up stuck in a mouldering castle at the whim of an uncaring father, tormented by the past. When Caolan crashes back into her life, their mutual loathing resurfaces. Caolan needs a bride, and soon, Sybilla is faced with a less than glittering future. She is to be wife to a gloomy, young man who despises her, mistress of a clan who mistrusts her and the target of enemies who would take Caolan’s riches and his life. A poisoner is at large, spies whisper their secrets, and Scotland’s absent King watches the Marches, ready to crush any clan who disturbs his peace. If Sybilla is to survive, she has only one refuge – dark, intense, Caolan Bannerman. But then another, more chivalrous admirer, rides into her life. Sparks fly, and love challenges pride, in this enemies-to-lovers romance, unfolding over one sultry summer in the Scottish Marches.Caolan’s Challenge is the final book in the Bannerman Brothers Trilogy but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.Extract from Caolan’s ChallengeBy the time they negotiated entry with a slack-jawed guard at the gate, the other rider had dismounted and was already at the door of the keep. Caolan was surprised to see it was a woman, as she flung back her hood to reveal long, blonde hair - a bright beacon in the fading light. At the sound of Fraser shouting for the horses to be taken, she turned. Caolan’s breath caught, and his stomach flipped over, as he took in every detail of Sybilla Munro. She was nothing like his memory of her from five years ago, save for one thing. Caolan looked past the threadbare dress, the dirt smeared-face and the rain-soaked hair, and he could see it still, that light in her, that flame of life so strong it could never be dimmed. Dishevelled though she was, the lass still had the power to quicken his loins and flood his chest with anger. Though her eyes met his, Sybilla Munro gave no greeting, nor showed any recognition on her part. Why should she, for he was of no consequence to her? He never had been. Their eyes held with a fierce intensity, just for an instant, before she turned away and went inside. All Caolan’s certainty cracked and fell at his feet. less