A STRONG HIGHLAND LAIRDThe fate of his Highland clan rests on Laird Evander Mackenzie’s shoulders. The long winter killed his crops, and now the threat of famine looms over the land. To keep his people from starving, Evander needs funds—and he needs them fast. When an English earl offers him an exorbitant dowry to marry the man’s daughter, Evander thinks he’s found the perfect solution. There’s … perfect solution. There’s only one problem: his new bride won’t go back to his castle without a fight.
NEEDS A WOMAN WHO CAN’T BE TAMED.
Feisty Lady Diana Stuart is determined to win her independence. Because of her refusal to marry, her father has imprisoned and abandoned her. Still Diana refuses to admit defeat, and she plots an escape to a cave steeped in local lore. But there, Diana meets another man determined to control her fate: Evander. Though Evander manages to capture her, Diana refuses to go meekly.
Evander is drawn to Diana’s unconquerable spirit, but her secrets may lead to their undoing. In a world filled with death and heartbreak, is it fate or legend that will hold them together?
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Previously published in MISTS AND MOONRISE
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Wow, this was an emotional and heart wrenching story. How can a father treat his daughter with such cruelty? Diana has been abused emotionally by her father most of her life, however he has gone too far this time. Evander has a heart of gold and his treatment of Diana is heartwarming. I loved both Diana and Evander and my heart went out to both of them. Oh and I absolutely fell in love with the animals, Zeus, Hera and of course Kitzi! This was a beautiful story about a laird wanting to save his clan from starvation and a woman who has been abused all her life just wanting to find peace and freedom. Their journey together is well worth reading about and wonderfully written.
*I originally read and reviewed this novella when it was first released in the Mists & Moonrise anthology *
Evander’s people are starving so he accepts a bride from England sight unseen as her father has offered him an outrageous dowry to marry her. Diana has been imprisoned by her father for refusing to marry, she manages to escape only to be chased by Evander. He catches up with her in the cave at St. Agnes and tells her that they are to marry and return to Scotland. She of course refuses, leaving Evander no choice but to drug her (and her two pet wolves).
They travel back to Scotland and Diana begins to realize how wrong she was about Evander. They marry as soon as they reach his castle, but Diana is not ready to share all her secrets with Evander and tries to keep him at arms length, but the more she gets to know him, the more she admires him. Once Diana admits to herself, that she is in love with him, she takes the ultimate leap of faith and shares her darkest secret. Evander is all you could want in a hero – I loved him!
But just as it seems like these two are destined for a HEA, when an unexpected twist threatens to tear them apart.
This is a well written, emotional, steamy novella with wonderful characters and a really sweet ending.
Laird Evander Makenzie’s people are starving and he receives an offer from Lady Diana’s father of a huge dowry if he marries his daughter, and Evander agrees. Lady Diana was imprisoned by her father and breaks out only to be captured by Evander and then the plot thickens. Both have haunted pasts, both are looking for happiness.
This is a story about two strong and passionate people who are thrust into a situation that changes both of their lives. It’s a story of patience and trust, but it is also a story with a villain. Full of emotion with a nice blend of drama, humor and romance this book does not disappoint. I loved it!
I enjoyed this story. It was a quick and fun read. I loved Diana’s pets and her strong facade. It took the caring from Evander to break it down and for her to find true happiness and love. The touches of myth and legend brought a little of the paranormal to their romance. I recommend this story.
I received an ARC of this story as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
After being held prisoner by her own father, Lady Diana Stuart escapes into the dead of night and runs into Laird Evander MacKenzie. Evander desperately needs money to save his clan from starvation, so he makes a deal with Diana’s father. Marry her and take her to Scotland, for enough money to feed his people. Diana wants no part of this, so Evander has to drug her and her pet wolves and kidnaps her. As they arrive in Scotland, Evander persuades Diana to marry him and help him save his clan. Highly recommend reading this.
Another great by Madeline Martin. Madeline’s writing is just amazing and her stories are so original. The Highlander’s Untamed Lady, book 3 in the Highland Passions series, is no exception. What so intrigues me in this story is the use of 2 wolfs and her descriptions are so clear I can picture them both in my mind. This wonderful story is both exciting and sad at the same time and I love her use of strong women figures. I just loved how feisty Lady Diana Stuart is and the kind and understanding Evander MacKenzie. I cannot say enough about this book! This story has escape, abduction, forced marriage, kindness, cruelty, abuse, starvation, patience, understanding, trust, a fight, pain, rape shame, love and so much more. You must read this book if you are like me and love historical highland romances.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
I am just sitting here with my heart full as I turned that last page. There was so much emotion and heart in this story of two souls who where meant for each other although neither knew it. Diana, the Earl of Cronwall’s daughter is almost broken inside. Her father has been trying to marry her off and with each refusal he has now locked her away. Evander has come to take her as his bride, needing to obtain her dowry in order to feed his staving people in Scotland. He is such a kind man and has suffered his own losses and sorrow. Diana had to be named for the huntress of legend, with her two wolves Hera and Zeus who are her constant companions. She has an inner strength but needs love so badly.
Beautifully written with so much longing and love, this story will stay with me for awhile. Madeline Martin has written another great tale as only she can do, with her wonderful prose and strong characters that melt the heart.