Highlander: The Legends Series by Rebecca Ruger

They owe each other their lives. Having saved her from a fate worse than death, John Craig would have paid with his life if not for Ava Guthrie coming to his rescue. So, while they might now be even, there is no way that John can abandon Ava. Saving him essentially made her a criminal, and that is the only reason he insists she must flee with him. Certainly, it has nothing to do with the bone-melting kiss they shared just before he would have hanged... moreThey owe each other their lives. Having saved her from a fate worse than death, John Craig would have paid with his life if not for Ava Guthrie coming to his rescue. So, while they might now be even, there is no way that John can abandon Ava. Saving him essentially made her a criminal, and that is the only reason he insists she must flee with him. Certainly, it has nothing to do with the bone-melting kiss they shared just before he would have hanged.Between her disquiet at the prospect of leaving the only home she has ever known, and the greater foreboding roused by the ferocious warrior and his astonishing kiss, the last thing Ava wants to do is take flight with the man. He’s brusque and angry and seems to have little use for women, despite the fact that she did just save his life. But then there’s something beneath the façade of that lion, something that suggests his heart is not so impenetrable as he would have her believe.Pursued from the city by an English-aligned sheriff, keen to make a name for himself with the capture of the legendary Lion of Blacklaw Tower, John, Ava, and their small band of accomplices are literally running for their lives inside inhospitable territory. John is supposed to be about the king’s business, not being enthralled by the recklessly fearless lass. When the king issues a direct order calling John to his side at the same time Ava is captured, John is forced to make a choice between honor and duty…and maybe love? less

On the death of her father and then her brother, Catherine Dersey inherits Gladstone Castle and is immediately placed under the guardianship of her uncles until she reaches an age of majority. However, at that time, her uncles dispute her claim, informing her that they will be taking the land that is hers, and she will live out her life in a nunnery. Unwilling to surrender that which is lawfully hers, Ceit travels the country, seeking the aid of the king himself... moreOn the death of her father and then her brother, Catherine Dersey inherits Gladstone Castle and is immediately placed under the guardianship of her uncles until she reaches an age of majority. However, at that time, her uncles dispute her claim, informing her that they will be taking the land that is hers, and she will live out her life in a nunnery. Unwilling to surrender that which is lawfully hers, Ceit travels the country, seeking the aid of the king himself. Robert Bruce, busy with his own war, asks her to name someone to act on behalf of her rights, her own champion. Ceit doesn’t hesitate, but points to the hulking figure of the man standing at the king’s side, the one known as the Scoundrel of Beauly Glen. True, after only five minutes in his company, she’d judged him arrogant, disdainful, and too handsome for his own good. That aside, she was fairly certain that the brooding man might smite all the English—and perhaps a few self-serving uncles—with only one look for his frosty blue eyes. William Sinclair is not pleased at all. He’d much rather being making war against a true enemy, in the service of his king, than playing nursemaid to some spoiled heiress throwing a tantrum because she didn’t get her way. But his king has given him no choice, charging him with securing the castle for the cause of freedom. Will plans to get the job done as quickly as possible and return to his king, and yet the more time he spends in the company of Ceit Dersey, the less war appeals to the stone-cold warrior. The quest to recover Gladstone Castle is fraught with peril, but soon Will discovers that most in danger is his heart. less

Grace Geddes is out for revenge. If it’s the last thing she does, if it costs her every cherished penny or kills her, she will avenge her sister, assaulted and now lost forever. She sets off on her quest to find the man responsible, with only her furious determination and an aged soldier as her companions. Ruairi mac Cailein wants only one peace... moreGrace Geddes is out for revenge. If it’s the last thing she does, if it costs her every cherished penny or kills her, she will avenge her sister, assaulted and now lost forever. She sets off on her quest to find the man responsible, with only her furious determination and an aged soldier as her companions. Ruairi mac Cailein wants only one peace. He realizes as soon as he stumbles upon Grace Geddes that there would be no peace in her company, not with her misbegotten plans and her entrancing blue eyes. When she begs his help, offering him a ransom in gold, he refuses. He’s carved out a wee perfect life for himself and what few men remain of the once proud and mighty mac Cailean force, delivering his own brand of justice, accountable to none but himself; he wants no part of her foolish schemes. Grace is terrified by the dangerously brutal warrior but imagines he might be just what she needs to exact her revenge. After she manages to convince him to help her, they set off on a journey both perilous and unexpected, each discovering that their long-held beliefs about life and love are challenged mightily by the other. As with all books in the Legends sieres, The Wolf of Carnoch Cross is a stand-alone novel. The characters from different books do sometimes interact, but these can be read in any order. less

He revels in his notorious legend—the icy, heartless warrior—until he discovers that it makes him the least likely candidate to capture her heart.Sorcha Reid, haunted by a love lost to the brutality of war, finds solace in the rhythmic hum of the beehives she keeps and the haunting melodies that spill from her heart each night. Shrouded in grief, she sells her songs for sustenance and guards her heart fiercely against any who would seek to breach its walls... moreHe revels in his notorious legend—the icy, heartless warrior—until he discovers that it makes him the least likely candidate to capture her heart.Sorcha Reid, haunted by a love lost to the brutality of war, finds solace in the rhythmic hum of the beehives she keeps and the haunting melodies that spill from her heart each night. Shrouded in grief, she sells her songs for sustenance and guards her heart fiercely against any who would seek to breach its walls.Enter the Earl of Lochmere, Augustus MacKenzie, the notorious Rebel of Lochaber Forest, a warrior with a reputation as formidable as the Highlands themselves. Drawn by Sorcha's haunting ballads, Augustus is captivated by the beguiling but stubborn beekeeper.As his personal rebellion gains momentum, Augustus's mercenary exploits draw him deeper into the struggle for freedom. Amidst the chaos, his encounters with Sorcha kindle a flame that challenge his devotion to duty and war—and his own legend.Guarded by the ghosts of her past, Sorcha is wary of the warrior's intentions but finds herself reluctantly drawn to Augustus, even as the legend of his callousness precedes him.The unexpected arrival of someone from Sorcha’s past threatens the fragile bond they’ve built. Can Augustus prove himself worthy of Sorcha’s love, more deserving than the memory of the perfect love she clings to? less

When a Highlands’ castle is besieged by Scottish armies loyal to the English crown, the call to war is answered by many advocates of Scots’ freedom. Austin Merrick, a skilled and respected lieutenant of his father’s army rises to the challenge, as does Fiona Rose and her ragtag group of soldiers, what remains of the Roses, the Merricks’ longtime enemy in the north... moreWhen a Highlands’ castle is besieged by Scottish armies loyal to the English crown, the call to war is answered by many advocates of Scots’ freedom. Austin Merrick, a skilled and respected lieutenant of his father’s army rises to the challenge, as does Fiona Rose and her ragtag group of soldiers, what remains of the Roses, the Merricks’ longtime enemy in the north.Austin scoffs at Fiona’s presence on the battlefield, deeming it inappropriate for a woman to fight, while proud Fiona challenges his prejudice and proves her worth in combat. However, in the chaos of battle, both Austin and Fiona are captured and find themselves imprisoned together, intensifying the conflict between them at the same time flames of desire are kindled. The pair escapes, embarking on a journey through the harsh Scottish Highlands, forced to rely on each other for survival.Though possessed of a warrior’s spirit, Fiona knows that same strength acts as a shield, protecting her from the vulnerability of emotional entanglements. Matters of the heart are a potential source of weakness, which she, more than most, cannot afford to entertain. Likewise, Austin grapples with conflicting loyalties between his duty to his father and kin and his growing feelings for Fiona, an enemy to the Merricks. Despite Austin and Fiona’s mutual reluctance to surrender to longing, neither proves to be stronger than their desire.Will they sacrifice love for the sake of clan loyalty, or will they defy the odds and challenge fate to forge a new future for themselves? less

When a Highlands’ castle is besieged by Scottish armies loyal to the English crown, the call to war is answered by many advocates of Scots’ freedom. Austin Merrick, a skilled and respected lieutenant of his father’s army rises to the challenge, as does Fiona Rose and her ragtag group of soldiers, what remains of the Roses, the Merricks’ longtime enemy in the north... moreWhen a Highlands’ castle is besieged by Scottish armies loyal to the English crown, the call to war is answered by many advocates of Scots’ freedom. Austin Merrick, a skilled and respected lieutenant of his father’s army rises to the challenge, as does Fiona Rose and her ragtag group of soldiers, what remains of the Roses, the Merricks’ longtime enemy in the north.Austin scoffs at Fiona’s presence on the battlefield, deeming it inappropriate for a woman to fight, while proud Fiona challenges his prejudice and proves her worth in combat. However, in the chaos of battle, both Austin and Fiona are captured and find themselves imprisoned together, intensifying the conflict between them at the same time flames of desire are kindled. The pair escapes, embarking on a journey through the harsh Scottish Highlands, forced to rely on each other for survival.Though possessed of a warrior’s spirit, Fiona knows that same strength acts as a shield, protecting her from the vulnerability of emotional entanglements. Matters of the heart are a potential source of weakness, which she, more than most, cannot afford to entertain. Likewise, Austin grapples with conflicting loyalties between his duty to his father and kin and his growing feelings for Fiona, an enemy to the Merricks. Despite Austin and Fiona’s mutual reluctance to surrender to longing, neither proves to be stronger than their desire.Will they sacrifice love for the sake of clan loyalty, or will they defy the odds and challenge fate to forge a new future for themselves? less

With the laird of the MacQueens on his deathbed and his son presumed lost in the war, Robert Bruce sends Torsten de Graham to secure the MacQueen keep, Lochlan Hall—and to wed the headstrong daughter of the dying man to keep the stronghold in Scots’ favor. Married already to honor and duty, Torsten heeds the king’s command, though he’s fairly certain he’d rather be captured by the English than be wed to a woman known as the Killer of Men, for the suspicious deaths of three previous bridegrooms... moreWith the laird of the MacQueens on his deathbed and his son presumed lost in the war, Robert Bruce sends Torsten de Graham to secure the MacQueen keep, Lochlan Hall—and to wed the headstrong daughter of the dying man to keep the stronghold in Scots’ favor. Married already to honor and duty, Torsten heeds the king’s command, though he’s fairly certain he’d rather be captured by the English than be wed to a woman known as the Killer of Men, for the suspicious deaths of three previous bridegrooms. Expecting to encounter a man-eating battle-ax, Torsten is unprepared for—and not at all impervious to—the petite angel with the entrancing eyes.Willful Raina MacQueen doesn’t understand why she can’t rule the clan in her brother’s absence or, more maddening, why everyone keeps insisting her brother must be dead. She finds Torsten de Graham to be arrogant and overbearing, like every other man she’s ever met. And it’s quite obvious he thinks poorly of her, believing all the sordid rumors that she’d dispatched three husbands-to-be already.Their reluctance to wed is equally matched, but the king’s command cannot be ignored. Yet, an undeniable attraction and a threat to Raina’s life will drive them into each other’s arms. When the safety of her own home and the integrity of her people are called into question, Raina wonders if Torsten de Graham might be the only person she can trust. less

With the laird of the MacQueens on his deathbed and his son presumed lost in the war, Robert Bruce sends Torsten de Graham to secure the MacQueen keep, Lochlan Hall—and to wed the headstrong daughter of the dying man to keep the stronghold in Scots’ favor. Married already to honor and duty, Torsten heeds the king’s command, though he’s fairly certain he’d rather be captured by the English than be wed to a woman known as the Killer of Men, for the suspicious deaths of three previous bridegrooms... moreWith the laird of the MacQueens on his deathbed and his son presumed lost in the war, Robert Bruce sends Torsten de Graham to secure the MacQueen keep, Lochlan Hall—and to wed the headstrong daughter of the dying man to keep the stronghold in Scots’ favor. Married already to honor and duty, Torsten heeds the king’s command, though he’s fairly certain he’d rather be captured by the English than be wed to a woman known as the Killer of Men, for the suspicious deaths of three previous bridegrooms. Expecting to encounter a man-eating battle-ax, Torsten is unprepared for—and not at all impervious to—the petite angel with the entrancing eyes.Willful Raina MacQueen doesn’t understand why she can’t rule the clan in her brother’s absence or, more maddening, why everyone keeps insisting her brother must be dead. She finds Torsten de Graham to be arrogant and overbearing, like every other man she’s ever met. And it’s quite obvious he thinks poorly of her, believing all the sordid rumors that she’d dispatched three husbands-to-be already.Their reluctance to wed is equally matched, but the king’s command cannot be ignored. Yet, an undeniable attraction and a threat to Raina’s life will drive them into each other’s arms. When the safety of her own home and the integrity of her people are called into question, Raina wonders if Torsten de Graham might be the only person she can trust. less