Married to the Icy Highlander

Unwanted Highland Wives #3

by Eloise Madigan

“Och, this isnae a white marriage, lass. I am going to claim ye till ye scream me name…”

Abandoned at the altar, Ceana hunts down the groom's brother for an explanation. Only...he's the most attractive -and ruthless- man she's ever seen.

Laird Neil didn't expect a disheveled bride to burst into his study. Needing a wife to raise his daughter, he offers the fiery minx a he will marry her in his brother's stead. But she must abide by his rules, or he will punish her.

And he has many ways to make her obey...
1. She must never seek him out, unless it's about his daughter.
2. She must give him an heir.
3. She must never fall in love with him…

*Married to the Icy Highlander is a steamy Scottish historical romance novel of 60,000 words (around 300 pages) written by Eloise Madigan and published by Cobalt Fairy.

No cheating, no cliffhangers, lots of steam and a happy ending.

Get this book for free with Kindle Unlimited!

Genres: Historical Romance

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2025

Reviews

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceana was a beautiful and much sought after young woman who lived in the village with her mother and younger brother Peter. After her father’s death she ran the family’s distillery, determined to keep it running until Peter could take over when he came of age. Ferguson Arran owned the other distillery in the village and was determined to acquire Ceana’s family’s business. He poached workers, spread rumors and made lewd passes at Ceana, whom he wanted to marry, and her mother Ida. Both women were disgusted by Ferguson and rebuffed him as best they could. When it became apparent to Ceana that the only way to keep the two of them safe was for her to wed, she begged her best friend Blaine to enter into a marriage of convenience with her. When she found herself standing alone at the altar, and became the laughing stock of the village, a furious Ceana stormed into the Laird’s study and demanded to know where his brother Blaine was. The outcome of that meeting saw Ceana betrothed to Neil, the Laird of Clan MacTristan. Of course there were multiple stipulations, not the least of which was her providing Neil with an heir, and helping to raise his daughter Jeanie to be a lady. Ceana just wanted the debts paid off and for her family and their business to be safe. Having been betrayed by his previous wife, Neil tried to keep Ceana at Arm’s length. However, his intense attraction to her made that difficult, and resulted in numerous abrupt exits. Although Ceana had agreed to a marriage of convenience, she found herself wanting more, and after a particularly devastating verbal exchange with Neil, she decided that she had had enough. It took two disastrous encounters before the two of them were able to reconcile. This story has a lot of teasing and steamy encounters, trust issues, two big secrets, and a distressing betrayal. It was not too difficult to surmise what the secrets were, but that did not detract from the drama of the tale. The festival was a nice touch. It appeared to be a microcosm of the story. The fortune teller provided hope for the future, the dancing was both familial and romantic, Neil was usually one step behind his daughter, the woods scene was typical of his interludes with Ceana, and Ferguson was a reminder of the underlying danger. I also enjoyed the inclusion of characters from the previous books in the series, and appreciated the chance to see how their lives had progressed. This is a fast-paced, romantic, steamy and emotionally satisfying story. Very enjoyable!

[Nancy Yohe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building trust.

Ceana’s family owns a small distillery that she is determined to keep going until her brother comes of age to run it himself. But when an evil competitor keeps pushing Ceana and her mother and his sexual advances ramp up, she has no option but to make a drastic move. When her first plans fails she goes to the laird who offers to marry her but he has rules. Laird Neil has a young daughter, secrets from his first marriage and a temper. Neil and Ceana have a strong chemistry together but his past won’t let him trust her. As others try to destroy them Neil and Ceana must find trust and work together to keep their new family safe.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceana is a strong lass trying to take care of her family after her father passes away. Her brother is too young to take over the business. (You have to love his cat.) Their competitor is a nasty old man that gets a surprise himself later on. Neil has trust issues due to his first wife and keeps the secret to himself. His daughter, Jeanie, is a sweetheart and very energetic. Neil's brother, Blaine, has his reasons to leave Ceana behind that come out later. It's a well written story that is a delight to read with some really good twists.

[Ann Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Read

Such a great story! Two villains and a brother. This one had me hooked from the beginning. I’m glad Ferguson was finally dealt with. Sorry when friendships aren’t always what we think. Both surprising though not exactly shocking. Everything works out in the end which is a good thing. I never want to give away too many details in my reviews 🙈 as I want you to enjoy reading without any spoiler alerts. This book deserves a cup of tea or a finger or two of whiskey and a throw. Put your feet up and enjoy. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceana works a distillery to take care of her family and is having trouble with the local bully because she won't marry him. She asks her friend Blaine to marry her just as friends but he disappears as she is waiting at the altar. Ceana confronts his brother the Laird and ends up betrothed to him, but he has "rules". The wedding takes place and the relationship heats up more than either expected. There are some things you don't expect that show up that just adds to this great story.

[Maigen Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

better than the last one

Still not as good as the first story. The characters are much more likeable in this story, but it does end before we know why she was left standing at the alter. Also, the laird is irritating - making rules for her to follow which she eventually does before he shuts her down making more rules. They did have chemistry which was nice and the “big bad” was not really a shocker. They spicy scenes were okay but quickly over…overall it’s worth the read.

[Shelby Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Which brute did she trust?

A medieval store of betrayal, threats, and a marriage of convenience! But convent to who? Ceana needs to be married to force a rival distillery ruffian to leave her and her other,younger brother alone. But her intended abandons her, so his brother, the Laird weds her, to raise his young daughter. Neil makes it clear, a white marriage! But of course you know that won’t happen!

[Sharon Dubuque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Neil was a laird. His brother Blaine was supposed to have married Ceanna, Blaine’s best friend. On the day of the wedding, Blaine never showed so Neil offered to marry her. She took the offer but they each had things they agreed to in the marriage. There were things that Ceanna told him and wanted the same trust, but he did tell her of his past. Rumors went awry and things had to be straightened out….

[Ann Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The icy Highlander had his reasons but she broke through them.

My this book surprised me totally with so much going on and so much I did not expect to happen. Neil has secrets and Ceana was determined to solve them. A very well written story that will keep you guessing! A book worth reading.

[John Stillfeather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neil and Ceana's story

I disliked the characters of both Laird Arthur and Ferguson. Laird Arthur for his duplicitous nature. Ferguson because he was a lecherous and down right evil old man.
I liked how Neil and Ceana overcame the obstacles in their relationship.
I would recommend "Married to the Icy Highlander" to lovers of Scottish Highland Historical Fiction.

[Donna Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

passion and fire thaw ice

Wow! Ceanna lived such a tough life after her dad died. She needed someone but she was not needy. She was tough, sassy, passionate and fiery. Neil wasn’t very open but he needed Ceanna’s passion and fiery spirit to thaw the ice he built around his heart. A great story that was fun to read.

[Vickie Gehrt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Married to the Icy Highlander

Neil and Ceana’s story is one of family devotion, a threat to her family, disappointment and one of a need for love. With different things all going on at once the story develops along with its list of characters and their relationship to this story. All woven together with a bit of mystery and intrigue for you pleasure.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome adventure

Loved reading this adventure so much! The characters were incredible! I loved the energy that Jeanie had. And Myrtle was one of my favorites! The adventure was exciting and interesting. I love ho Ceana dealt with Ferguson. Thanks for sharing your story!!!

[Karlene Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a challenge Neil & Ceana have ahead of them!!

Good story 2 stubborn people finding their way to love. Lots of plot to figure out & stay glued to the story!! Good to see the evil ones get their end! Jeanie is a treasure!!

[Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Married to the Highlander

Married to the Icy Highlander: A Highlanders Historical Romance Novel (Unwanted Highland Wives Book 3). The author Eloise Madigan wrote a story of a young woman who fell in love with the man of her dreams.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unwanted Highland Wives Book 3

Okay, I w total hooked to this series, I live the storyline and the characters. I live how the stories coinside with all the previous stories. On to book 4.

[Chrissy J]

I am quite baffled here. Sally Vixens book "His Accidental Duchess" is almost a carbon copy, except for protagonists (Duke Theodore vs. Laird Neil and Lady Anna vs. Ceana) and setting (England vs. Scottland). So, is Sally Vixen and Eloise Madigen one and the same person?

[Kim Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still my heart

Eloise Madigan brings another heart stopping tale that will keep you turning pages. Don't miss this awesome story with surprising twists and turns.

[Deniese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story

Fantastic story about a marriage of convenience that quickly became a love match, A wonderful romantic and steamy relationship that I enjoyed reading very much!

[Linda Jones]

Such a wonderful well written Scottish story . Which I highly recommend .

[Maret Wiid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book

[Joan Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

What a great read. I just loved this book, the story of Ceana and Neil, great storyline and characters. Look forward to next book.

[Mary Ellen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Married to the Icy Highlander

This was a reread but I enjoyed reading it again. Only thing is what happened to Louise. If remember I never did find out what happened to her.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok that was not expected

How exciting and precise - we all know that these things happened - but the way this author tells it keeps you coming back for more.