Highlander: The Legends Series by Rebecca Ruger

Lara is a peasant without home or family, without even a surname to call her own. After the siege of Berwick, from which she barely escapes, she and dozens of others attach themselves to the fleeing Scots’ army. She has even less now, being only a camp follower, forced to disguise herself as a man rather than be expected to earn coin on her back. Whispers invade the camp about the coming of the Beast of Lismore Abbey, telling of his prowess upon the battlefield, of his heartlessness... moreLara is a peasant without home or family, without even a surname to call her own. After the siege of Berwick, from which she barely escapes, she and dozens of others attach themselves to the fleeing Scots’ army. She has even less now, being only a camp follower, forced to disguise herself as a man rather than be expected to earn coin on her back. Whispers invade the camp about the coming of the Beast of Lismore Abbey, telling of his prowess upon the battlefield, of his heartlessness. Her very first glimpse of the beast is of a naked man rising from the sea. No beast here, but a god.Magnus Matheson rides into the leaderless camp, attempting to cull soldiers from the weary ranks. He meets Lara and wonders immediately what fool would ever believe this was not a female. He is compelled to offer to her his protection, if she will wait for him at Lismore Abbey.Having greater ambitions than a life as leman to a celebrated chieftain, Lara refuses and watches him leave with his freshly tapped army, which he will deliver to William Wallace.Unable to put her from his mind, Magnus seeks her out months later, disheartened as he has never been when he can find her nowhere.Upon his return home, he finds that she is there after all, though not, she tells him, with any intent to become his mistress. Magnus is a patient man though, and she’s already shown what pluck and passion she possesses. He means to conquer her, body and soul, but finds his own heart is in jeopardy of being captured. less

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

When her home in the borderlands is under siege by an army of English, and against her mother’s wishes, Eleanor Caldwell takes matters into her own hands. She steals away on horseback and heads straight to the detestable Baron Grandison, one of King Edward I’s most prominent knights, whose bid for her hand she recently refused—and not kindly. Having no other choice, she’ll have to promise her hand in return for his aid now in this dreadful hour... moreWhen her home in the borderlands is under siege by an army of English, and against her mother’s wishes, Eleanor Caldwell takes matters into her own hands. She steals away on horseback and heads straight to the detestable Baron Grandison, one of King Edward I’s most prominent knights, whose bid for her hand she recently refused—and not kindly. Having no other choice, she’ll have to promise her hand in return for his aid now in this dreadful hour. On the way she encounters Dougal Kildare in the ghostly windless woodland, a man who rarely met a wine he did not cherish, a woman he could not charm, or, more recently, a fight worthy of his sword. A once proud warrior, he is currently naught but the bastard and banished son of a Highland laird, having no sympathy for anyone else’s distress. Ah, but the desperate maiden awakens long-dead fires and Dougal finds himself insisting he will escort Eleanor through the night to the earl’s castle, where he recklessly upsets all her plans, deciding only over his dead body will he allow the flaxen-haired beauty to sacrifice herself on the altar of the baron’s depravity. Enraged for how he’d upset her plans—the only way to save her family and home—Eleanor still manages to bark out a huge laugh of disdain when the blackguard tells her he will eliminate the enemy from her doorstep, he and his wee band of unsavory misfits. Little choice she has but to trust the disreputable man, discovering in the process that there’s more at stake than the security of her home—her heart is in grave danger of being captured by the wickedly handsome and not quite-so-dishonorable knight. As with all the The Legends , The Blackguard of Windless Woods is a stand-alone novel. The characters from different books do sometimes interact, but these can be read in any order. less

Sparks fly when the mighty Caelen MacGaren meets Julia Caverhill when his army takes refuge inside her family’s stronghold. The green-eyed lass stirs long-dead fires inside him, but cruel manipulations work to keep them apart. Caelen wakes one morning, recalling only flashes and snippets of the splendid night passed, believing it had been Julia with whom he’d shared such passion... moreSparks fly when the mighty Caelen MacGaren meets Julia Caverhill when his army takes refuge inside her family’s stronghold. The green-eyed lass stirs long-dead fires inside him, but cruel manipulations work to keep them apart. Caelen wakes one morning, recalling only flashes and snippets of the splendid night passed, believing it had been Julia with whom he’d shared such passion. In a shocking twist more gruesome than war, he finds instead her cousin beside him in the rumpled bed, and he caught in the trap of marriage.Only distantly related to the stronghold’s chieftain and often overlooked, lacking the beauty and abundance of her cousin, Julia has guarded her heart fiercely, until the day she meets Caelen MacGaren. In the course of three days, he manages to tear down every wall around her heart, making her a willing accomplice to her own seduction…right before he weds her cousin.Caelen is haunted by that one night of passion, hardly able to reconcile the cool wife who recoils at his touch with the memory of the temptress in his bed that fateful night. He is almost relieved when war calls to him, taking him away from his home and his overindulged wife.It will be years before Julia meets Caelen again. She is older and wiser now and despite the realization that he still had the power to enthrall her, Julia knows that the last man she would ever give her heart to is the one who so callously broke it. 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

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