The Enchanted Highlands Series by Tricia O'Malley

Opposites attract in this modern-day fairytale when American, Sophie MacKnight, inherits a Scottish castle along with a hot grumpy Scotsman who is tasked with training her to be a magickal knight before the Kelpies wreak havoc on the people of Loren Brae. The knight was supposed to be a man. Not me, Sophie MacKnight, a marketing associate from California. This must be a practical joke that the Scots play on visiting Americans... moreOpposites attract in this modern-day fairytale when American, Sophie MacKnight, inherits a Scottish castle along with a hot grumpy Scotsman who is tasked with training her to be a magickal knight before the Kelpies wreak havoc on the people of Loren Brae. The knight was supposed to be a man. Not me, Sophie MacKnight, a marketing associate from California. This must be a practical joke that the Scots play on visiting Americans. Because otherwise I’ve inherited a haunted castle in Scotland, along with one irritatingly sexy Scotsman, who would be delighted if I turned tail and ran. Frankly, I thought I would fly here, sell the heap of bricks, and head back home to a life that I…well, I was comfortable with at the very least. Instead, the people of Loren Brae are in trouble, and it appears that as the new owner of the castle, I’m next in line to reinstate the magickal Order of Caledonia. Which means, first, I have to learn to believe in magick. And secondly, I have to train to become a knight. And my trainer? None other than Lachlan Campbell, the grumpiest man I’ve ever had the annoyance of meeting. It’s a toss-up who is pricklier, Lachlan, or his kilted Chihuahua, Sir Buster. Not only does Lachlan think that I can’t hack it, but he also resents my claim on his castle. If only he didn’t look so devastatingly hot in his kilt. Now, I’m stuck proving myself to him, all while trying to figure out how to help my new friends in Loren Brae. Sparks fly as our swords meet, and we battle our rising attraction for each other. Who will win in this (Highland) game of love? less

Wicked banter, kitchen witches, and hot men in kilts make this friends-to-lovers modern day Scottish fairytale a romping good time. I draw the line at serving people grasshoppers for dinner. As luck would have it, on the same day I quit my job as head chef at Suzette’s, a fine-dining restaurant in Boston, I was offered an opportunity to open a restaurant at a castle in Scotland. But now that I’m here in Loren Brae, I’m not so sure this city girl can hack it... moreWicked banter, kitchen witches, and hot men in kilts make this friends-to-lovers modern day Scottish fairytale a romping good time. I draw the line at serving people grasshoppers for dinner. As luck would have it, on the same day I quit my job as head chef at Suzette’s, a fine-dining restaurant in Boston, I was offered an opportunity to open a restaurant at a castle in Scotland. But now that I’m here in Loren Brae, I’m not so sure this city girl can hack it. The nights are too quiet–with no horns honking or insults being hurled–and everyone knows my business. And on the first day of my new life? I meet the hottest man I’d ever seen before. Munroe Curaigh. Owner of Common Gin, a dedicated nerd, innately shy, with the biggest golden retriever energy of any man I’d ever met. He immediately appoints himself my protector and I’d be annoyed if his kisses weren’t so wickedly hot. Still waters run deep, and all that. Speaking of still waters…it appears that Loch Mirren is haunted by murderous Kelpies and the people of Loren Brae need my help. That’s right. It turns out that I’m descended from a long line of Kitchen Witches and Loren Brae needs me, Lia, a chef from Boston, to help save them from an ancient curse. So what’s a girl to do? It’s time to sharpen my kitchen knife, pull out my recipe book of spells, and get to work–or this tiny village in Scotland that I’m quickly falling in love with will be in danger. That is, if I can come up for air from Munroe’s decadent kisses. less

Legend has it that wishes made at the standing stones during Christmas come true. As if. Maisie Barron is over it. A small-town girl with big dreams, her frustrations lead her to make a silly wish at the standing stones outside Loren Brae. Little does she know, the magick found there will transform her wish into a catastrophic event that threatens the upcoming Christmas Book Festival. Weston Smith needs a break... moreLegend has it that wishes made at the standing stones during Christmas come true. As if. Maisie Barron is over it. A small-town girl with big dreams, her frustrations lead her to make a silly wish at the standing stones outside Loren Brae. Little does she know, the magick found there will transform her wish into a catastrophic event that threatens the upcoming Christmas Book Festival. Weston Smith needs a break. Burnt out from his tenure-track professorship, he decides that a holiday in little Loren Brae, Scotland, will be the perfect escape he needs to recharge his batteries. The last thing he expects is to find the woman he’s been waiting his whole life for. With the over-zealous help of a gaggle of elderly book club members, West finds himself on a real-life mission to woo the woman of his dreams. There’s more than magic at play when sparks ignite. Snowed in, with an undeniable attraction brewing, only West and Maisie can save Loren Brae from the snowstorm of the century. Author’s a handsome American takes on a lonely Scotswoman in this stand-alone, small-town, Scottish romance. Wicked banter, a highland ghost coo, and dogs dressed in kilts make this magical Christmas story the perfect happily-ever-after. less

Is a rose without its thorns any less beautiful? Shona Scott would much rather putter in her garden than deal with brides that get hysterical over floral arrangements. Fed up, she quits the wedding business and renovates a small cottage on her property for holiday rentals. Without the weddings crowding her calendar, Shona will finally get some time to explore a newfound talent. An unexplainable one, at that... moreIs a rose without its thorns any less beautiful? Shona Scott would much rather putter in her garden than deal with brides that get hysterical over floral arrangements. Fed up, she quits the wedding business and renovates a small cottage on her property for holiday rentals. Without the weddings crowding her calendar, Shona will finally get some time to explore a newfound talent. An unexplainable one, at that. Owen Williams lands in Scotland for a family wedding, only to prolong his trip after his best friend has a terrifying accident on the waters of Loch Mirren. A documentary filmmaker, Owen’s quest for the truth drives him to Loren Brae, determined to uncover the secrets of what lies in the loch. When Owen books Shona’s cottage, he’s thrust into an unexpected attraction for the beautiful gardener who is determined to keep him at arm’s length. As Shona’s magic unfolds, she must do everything in her power to hide the secrets of Loren Brae from Owen, even if it means ignoring her own heart. Can love bloom if the seed is planted with doubt? less

“She was sunshine to my storm clouds, and I wondered how the two could ever coexist. ”. A chance job offer in Scotland gives Willow Barlowe an excuse to escape the predictable life her overly controlling brother, Miles, wants for her. Excited to start fresh as a fashion intern for the local kiltmaker, Willow lands in small town Loren Brae brimming with sunshine and hope... more“She was sunshine to my storm clouds, and I wondered how the two could ever coexist. ”. A chance job offer in Scotland gives Willow Barlowe an excuse to escape the predictable life her overly controlling brother, Miles, wants for her. Excited to start fresh as a fashion intern for the local kiltmaker, Willow lands in small town Loren Brae brimming with sunshine and hope. Until she discovers that her new boss is none other than Ramsay McMillan, her brother’s best friend, and the grumpiest man this side of the Atlantic. Never mind the ghost Highland coo that haunts the castle, nor the supposedly bewitched waters of Loch Mirren, Willow refuses to work under Ramsay’s watchful eyes, certain he’s reporting back to her brother. Ramsay Kilts is home to one of the last remaining traditional kiltmakers in Scotland, Ramsay McMillan. Loyalty, continuity, and tradition are important to Ramsay–as is his privacy. After a family betrayal, Ramsay keeps his walls up, running a veritable kilt empire with as minimum fuss as he can. Enter Willow Barlowe–his new intern, good friend’s little sister, and a veritable thorn in his side. If the thorn is made of sunshine and sparkles that is. As the two clash, Ramsay must decide if loyalty is really more important than love? less

Can an artisan builder with a haunted past learn to break down her own walls? Orla Clarke is a master builder with a secret—she can see ghosts. Tasked with building Common Gin’s newest distillery in Loren Brae, Orla faces more than just architectural challenges. Haunted by her past as an orphan and the spirits that have followed her since childhood, Orla’s talent for building walls extends to her heart... moreCan an artisan builder with a haunted past learn to break down her own walls? Orla Clarke is a master builder with a secret—she can see ghosts. Tasked with building Common Gin’s newest distillery in Loren Brae, Orla faces more than just architectural challenges. Haunted by her past as an orphan and the spirits that have followed her since childhood, Orla’s talent for building walls extends to her heart. She’s brilliant at solving problems on the construction site, but when it comes to matters of love, she’s always kept her distance. Enter Finlay Thompson, the charming and driven director of the distillery project. Determined to breathe new life into the old stone building, Finlay is equally passionate about gin as he is about profits. Betrayed by family, and untrusting of relationships, he can’t help but be entranced by the pint-sized powerhouse overseeing the build-out of the distillery. With mysterious things happening around Loren Brae, the more Finlay puts himself in Orla’s path, the more he is drawn to the quiet builder with luminous eyes. As spirits bring secrets to light, Orla and Finlay must confront their deepest fears. Can they build a future together, or will their haunted pasts keep them apart forever? less

She was forged in heat, and he was the hammer that struck too close to her heart. Kaia Bissett came to Scotland for a fresh start. No entanglements. No mistakes. No mixing business with pleasure. But one impulsive, scorching night with a stranger shatters that promise—especially when the stranger turns out to be Thane Blackwood. Her new landlord, and apparently, her biggest rival. Thane built his empire with his own hands. His forge. His rules... moreShe was forged in heat, and he was the hammer that struck too close to her heart. Kaia Bissett came to Scotland for a fresh start. No entanglements. No mistakes. No mixing business with pleasure. But one impulsive, scorching night with a stranger shatters that promise—especially when the stranger turns out to be Thane Blackwood. Her new landlord, and apparently, her biggest rival. Thane built his empire with his own hands. His forge. His rules. He has no room for distractions—especially not Kaia, the fiery metalsmith who refuses to back down. When she lands a commission for the grand iron gates at Common Gin, he steps into the ring, determined to beat her. Sparks fly—on the anvil and off. But Kaia’s past isn’t done with her. She’s heir to an ancient order, bound to protect Loren Brae from the Kelpies that stalk its waters. Magick stirs in her blood, wild and untamed. And Thane? He won’t let her fight alone. Steel clashes. Desire burns. But can they forge something stronger, or will the fire consume them both? less

She’s hiding something. He sees too much. And in Loren Brae, secrets have a way of rising to the surface. Faelan Fletcher never stays in one place too long. She knows what happens when a town turns against someone like her. But something about Loren Brae feels different. The land hums with old magic. The people watch her too closely. And the wounded fox at her side refuses to leave. Luch Carmichael recognizes power when he sees it... moreShe’s hiding something. He sees too much. And in Loren Brae, secrets have a way of rising to the surface. Faelan Fletcher never stays in one place too long. She knows what happens when a town turns against someone like her. But something about Loren Brae feels different. The land hums with old magic. The people watch her too closely. And the wounded fox at her side refuses to leave. Luch Carmichael recognizes power when he sees it. A doctor by trade, a guardian by blood, he knows Faelan isn’t just the new vet—she’s something more. But she keeps her secrets locked up tight, refusing to trust the very place meant to welcome her. And in Loren Brae, turning away from magic is never an option. The loch is restless. The old ways are waking. And Faelan will have to decide—keep running, or stand and fight for the first place that’s ever felt like home. 🔥 A slow-burn Scottish romantasy filled with folklore, found family, and a love that refuses to let go. 🔥. less

She’s out of second chances. He’s out of patience. And in Loren Brae, the truth never stays buried. After a WitchTok fiasco brands her the Heartbreak Witch, Liora flees home to lick her wounds. But when she uncovers her Gran’s grimoire, the secrets inside may explain everything she’s ever gotten wrong about her magick. Enter Torin, the gruff forester whose relationship she once destroyed. A miscast spell binds him to honesty, making it impossible for him to lie... moreShe’s out of second chances. He’s out of patience. And in Loren Brae, the truth never stays buried. After a WitchTok fiasco brands her the Heartbreak Witch, Liora flees home to lick her wounds. But when she uncovers her Gran’s grimoire, the secrets inside may explain everything she’s ever gotten wrong about her magick. Enter Torin, the gruff forester whose relationship she once destroyed. A miscast spell binds him to honesty, making it impossible for him to lie. With the town watching their every move, a fake relationship seems like the only way to keep questions at bay. Except Torin’s unfiltered truths cut straight to Liora’s heart. Now, as the constellations shift and the Kelpies close in, Liora must decide – stitch a new future with the man who cannot lie – or lose her magick for good. 🔥 A cozy Scottish romantasy with grumpy/sunshine sparks, a he-can’t-lie curse, meddling villagers, sisterly stakes, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. 🔥. less