Highland Lover: Book 3 Scottish Knights Trilogy (49 page)
Read Highland Lover: Book 3 Scottish Knights Trilogy Online
Authors: Amanda Scott
Dear Reader,
Before I plot out the storyline and flesh out my characters, my books start with one basic idea. Or maybe I should say they start with one nagging, persistent thought that won’t leave me alone until I put it down on paper.
Going Cowboy Crazy
started with the concept of long-lost twins and what would happen if one twin took over the other twin’s life and no one—save the hot football coach—was the wiser.
Make Mine a Bad Boy
was the other side of that premise: What would happen if your twin, whom you didn’t even know you had, married your boyfriend and left you with a good-for-nothing, low-down bad boy?
And CATCH ME A COWBOY started with a melodrama. You know the kind I’m talking about, the story of a dastardly villain taking advantage of a poor, helpless woman by tying her to the railroad tracks, or placing her on a conveyor belt headed toward the jagged blade of a saw, or evicting her from her home when she has no money to pay the rent. Of course, before any of these things happen, the hero arrives to save the day with a smile so big and bright it rivals the sun.
For days, I couldn’t get the melodrama out of my mind. But no matter how much the idea stuck with me, I just didn’t see it fitting into my new book. My heroine had already been chosen: a favorite secondary character from the previous novels. Shirlene is a sassy, voluptuous
west Texas gal who could no more play the damsel in distress than Mae West could play the Singing Nun. If someone tied Shirlene to the train tracks, she wouldn’t scream, faint, or hold the back of her hand dramatically to her forehead. She’d just ask if she had enough time for a margarita.
The more I thought of my sassy heroine dealing with a Snidely Whiplash–type, the more I laughed. The more I laughed, the more I wrote. And suddenly I had my melodrama. Except a funny thing happened on the way to Shirlene’s Happily Ever After: My villain and my hero got a little mixed up. And before I knew it, Shirlene had so charmed the would-be villain that he stopped the train. Shut off the saw. Paid the rent.
And how does the hero with the bright smile fit into all of this? you might ask.
Well, let’s just say I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. CATCH ME A COWBOY is available now.
Enjoy, y’all!
THER
B
OOKS BY
A
MANDA
S
COTT
HIGHLAND HERO
HIGHLAND MASTER
TEMPTED BY A WARRIOR
SEDUCED BY A ROGUE
TAMED BY A LAIRD
BORDER MOONLIGHT
BORDER LASS
BORDER WEDDING
KING OF STORMS
KNIGHT’S TREASURE
LADY’S CHOICE
PRINCE OF DANGER
LORD OF THE ISLES
HIGHLAND PRINCESS
THE SECRET CLAN: REIVER’S BRIDE
THE SECRET CLAN: HIGHLAND BRIDE
THE SECRET CLAN: HIDDEN HEIRESS
THE SECRET CLAN: ABDUCTED HEIRESS
BORDER FIRE
BORDER STORM
BORDER BRIDE
HIGHLAND FLING
HIGHLAND SECRETS
HIGHLAND TREASURE
HIGHLAND SPIRITS
THE BAWDY BRIDE
DANGEROUS ILLUSIONS
DANGEROUS ANGELS
DANGEROUS GAMES
DANGEROUS LADY
THE ROSE AT TWILIGHT
AMANDA SCOTT
HIGHLAND HERO
“4½ stars! Scott’s story is a tautly written, fast-paced tale of political intrigue and treachery that’s beautifully interwoven with history. Strong characters with deep emotions and a high degree of sensuality make this a story to relish.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“[Scott’s] colorful characters and their relationships will absorb readers, while her plotting, dialogue, and narration are also excellent. She’s a true master of the Scottish historical romance… We can all look forward to Wolf’s tale in HIGHLAND LOVER. Judging by the first two (and other of Ms. Scott’s fine series), I’m confident enough to highly recommend all three books.”
“[A] deep early fifteenth century Scottish romance starring a strong cast. As always in an Amanda Scott historical the inclusion of real persona and facts enhances the romance… Readers will enjoy the historical romance between Ivor and Marsi as they escort and protect the future king of the Scots while falling in love.”
—
GenreGoRoundReviews.blogspot.com
“[A] well-written and a really enjoyable read. It’s one of my favorite types of historical—it’s set in medieval times and interwoven with actual historical figures. Without a doubt, Amanda Scott knows her history… If you enjoy a rich historical romance set in the Highlands, this is a book to savor.”
“[A] gifted author… a fast-paced, passion-filled historical romance that kept me so engrossed I stayed up all night to finish it. The settings are so realistic that the story is brought to life right before your eyes… This story is sure to be a favorite… It can be read as a standalone, but for additional enjoyment, do not miss the first book in this series,
Highland Master
. I look forward to reading Ms. Scott’s next addition… In the meantime, do not miss
Highland Hero
!”
“A highly enjoyable read with some surprising twists and turns.”
“Highly recommended! Marvelous Scottish tale of a time in history when various plays for power were held… a powerful story and a piece of history as well as a great tale. Amanda Scott does it again with another fascinating part of Scottish history.”
—
Romance Reviews Magazine
“Scott, known and respected for her Scottish tales, has once again written a gripping romance that seamlessly interweaves history, a complex plot, and strong characters with deep emotions and a high degree of sensuality.”
—
RT Reviews
“If you like conflicted heroes and the feisty heroine who adds to their conflict, you will love Fin of the Battles and the Mackintosh Wildcat.”
—
Romance Reviewers Today
“Great with sensual scenes, Scott escapes the cliché of a masterful male taming a ‘wildcat’ woman; instead, Fin and Catriona learn to communicate and compromise in this solid romantic adventure.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“Ms. Scott is a master of the Scottish romance. Her heroes are strong men with an admirable honor code. Her heroines are strong-willed… This was an entertaining romance with enjoyable characters. Recommended.”
“One of the more accomplished and honored romance novelists writing today… If you are one of Scott’s fans, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss this… If you haven’t read Scott before, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how she uses her knowledge of Scottish history to weave an engrossing and sexy story.”
“Deliciously sexy… a rare treat of a read…
Highland Master
is an entertaining adventure for lovers of historical romance.”
“Passion, swordplay, and exemplary research of the era.”
—
Sacramento Bee
“Fast-paced… dynamic… Amanda Scott proves once again she is the Highland Master when it comes to a thrilling tale starring Scottish Knights.”
—
Midwest Book Review
“Hot… There’s plenty of action and adventure… Amanda Scott has an excellent command of the history of medieval Scotland—she knows her clan battles and border wars, and she’s not afraid to use detail to add realism to her story.”
—All About Romance
“4½ Stars! TOP PICK! Scott demonstrates her incredible skills by crafting an exciting story replete with adventure and realistic, passionate characters who reach out and grab you… Historical romance doesn’t get much better than this!”
—
RT Book Reviews
“A descriptive and intriguing novel… Scott’s characters are most definitely memorable.”
“Captivates the reader from the first page… Another brilliant story filled with romance and intrigue that will leave readers thrilled until the very end.”
“4½ Stars! TOP PICK! Tautly written… passionate… Scott’s wonderful book is steeped in Scottish Border history and populated by characters who jump off the pages and grab your attention… Captivating!”
—
RT Book Reviews
“Another excellent novel from Amanda Scott, who just keeps producing one fine story after another.”
“Readers fascinated with history… will love Ms. Scott’s newest tale… leaves readers clamoring for the story of Mairi’s sister in
Tempted by a Warrior
.”
“4½ Stars! TOP PICK! Scott has crafted another phenomenal story. The characters jump off the page and the politics and treachery inherent in the plot suck you into life on the Borders from page one. This is the finest in historical romance.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“[Scott] instills life and passion in her memorable characters… Few writers have come close to equaling her highly creative and entertaining stories.”
“Fascinating… fourteenth-century Scotland’s rich history comes alive in this romantic novel full of intrigue.”
“Scott creates a lovely, complex cast.”
—
Publishers Weekly
A Preview of
The Laird’s Choice
Raves for the Novels of Amanda Scott
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2012 by Lynne Scott-Drennan
Excerpt from
The Laird’s Choice
copyright © 2012 by Lynne Scott-Drennan
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Forever
Hachette Book Group
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First e-book edition: March 2012
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The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.
ISBN 978-1-455-51037-5
