Today, it is my pleasure to feature PROMISED TO THE HIGHLANDER by the lovely and talented Kate Robbins. Published by Tirgearr, PROMISED is book two in Kate's wonderful Highland Chiefs series.
Here's the blurb:
Nessia Stephenson's world was safe until a threat from
a neighbouring clan forces her to accept a betrothal to a man whose family can
offer her the protection she needs. The real threat lies in her intense
attraction to the man who arranged the match—the clan's chief and her
intended’s brother, Fergus MacKay.
When powerful warlord Fergus MacKay arranges a
marriage for his younger brother, William, he has no idea the price will be his
own heart. Fergus is captivated by the wildly beautiful Nessia, a woman he can
never have.
When the feud between the MacKay and Sutherland clans
escalates, Nessia, William, and Fergus all must make sacrifices for their
future. Longing and loss, honour and duty. How can love triumph under such
desperate circumstances?
Here's an excerpt:
William paced while Fergus leaned back in his chair
with his long legs stretched out and his arms crossed over his chest.
Stephenson was late, not by much, but enough to make William fidget and Fergus
take notice. Their three younger siblings, Freya who was in her sixteenth year,
John who was fourteen, and eleven-year-old Stephen, waited as well, all in
various states of impatience.
The great hall was large and welcoming with dark
wooden beams framing the ceiling and walls. Fergus had counted the eighteen
beams along the length of the room about a hundred times. William had worn a
permanent path on the wide plank floor in front of the red sandstone hearth
beneath the many MacKay hunting trophies. Young John sighed again.
“You know, for a man who isn’t eager to meet his
future wife, you’ve got quite a set of nerves there lad,” Fergus said to
William.
William straightened his linen shirt and smoothed his
tunic as he glared at Fergus. Yet, the comment was absorbed and William ceased
his pacing to sit on a chair near the fire. Fergus watched his brother adjust
his belt again. The young man wore his usual dress, but had taken greater pains
today to perfect his appearance. Fergus glanced down at his linen shirt and
leather sleeveless tunic. William’s long hair was tied at his nape while
Fergus’s was left hanging loose. Fergus recalled having to take extra pains
upon his betrothal. Thankfully, those days had passed and he needn’t overly
worry anymore. A young lass would surely find William’s neat, respectable
appearance appealing. He hoped so, but before he could dwell on it further a servant
entered, announcing the arrival of Thomas Stephenson, his daughter Nessia and
several of their clansmen.
William sprang to his feet and crossed the floor in a
few quick strides to greet them. He continued to fidget as Fergus sauntered up
from behind.
“Thomas! Welcome. We thought we’d have to send out a
search party soon.” Fergus led the stout man into the great hall.
“Aye, the road was a bit rough with a wagon in
tow.”The man’s brow was streaked with sweat and he looked weary from his
travels.
“We’ve had a lot of rains this harvest, there’s no
doubting that.” In truth he would have gone searching himself had another hour
passed. Earlier that day he’d heard more rumours about Ronan Sutherland.
Apparently, the lad had agreed to his father’s suggestion and would commence
his campaign in the coming days.
Fergus sensed William stiffen beside him as Thomas
began the introductions.
“Fergus, William, this is my brother Neville and these
three are my sons, Colin, Robert, and Camden my youngest. And this is my daughter,
Nessia.”
Fergus acknowledged each man in turn. When the
introduction came to the girl and his gaze fell on her, his breath caught in
his throat. With black hair and bright blue eyes, she stood proudly before him
with her chin lifted and all the regal confidence of a noblewoman. She
displayed no fear or reservation at all, something which was unusual in most
men he met, but was more so in a woman. The gentler sex usually cowered before
him—not this lass.
Fergus stared at her, his heart drumming hard inside
his chest. His guts clenched as if he’d been punched. He had to force himself
from moving toward her to touch her hair, which looked like spun silk, for
surely it could not be real.
Fergus remembered his brother then, and tore his gaze
from her to find William’s eyes wide and his jaw slacked. An unexpected pang
ran through him. When he
turned back it was to find her still staring at him,
seemingly unabashed for staring openly at a man. A bold one, then. Fergus drew
his brows together. What did she want?
Here's my five-star review of the book:
It’s
the rare book that sets its hooks so deeply I find it hard to put down
and, even when I must, can’t get it out of my mind. Promised to the
Highlander was such a book. Author Kate Robbins hooked me at the start
and kept reeling me in page after page. I stayed up past my bedtime to
find out what happened next and couldn’t wait to get back to it at the
end of the day.
Promised to the Highlander tells the story of
the frustrated love between Fergus MacKay and Nessia Stephenson, the
bonny lass he’s arrange for his younger brother to wed. The instant they
set eyes on one another, the chemistry is scorching. MacKay’s brother,
William, is a good man neither would dream of betraying. Both do their
duty, but the magnetism between them only grows. Shades of Tristan and
Isolde, yes, but with a far more satisfying ending. (Not to mention, a
nail-biting plot and deliciously detailed love scenes.)
Promised
to the Highlander is Book Two in the Highland Chiefs series. Though I
thoroughly enjoyed Book One, Bound to the Highlander, I found the sequel
even more compelling. Well done, Kate Robbins!
Here's Kate's Bio:
-2.jpeg) |
| Kate Robbins, author |
Kate Robbins writes historical romance novels out of
pure escapism and a love for all things Scottish, not to mention a life-long
enjoyment of reading romance.
Kate loves the research process and delving into
secondary sources in order to blend authentic historical fact into her stories.
She has travelled to Scotland twice and visited the sites described in her
Highland Chiefs series.
Her Highland Chiefs series is set in the early
fifteenth century during the reign of James Stewart, first of his name.
Kate is the pen name of Debbie Robbins who lives in
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada with her man-beast and two man-cubs.
