Where Highland Thistles Bloom: Scottish Historical Romance

by Paula Quinn

Love grows quietly, stubbornly, like thistles in winter.

In the wild Highlands of Lochaber, Constantine Cameron reigns as Lochiel, warrior, leader, and legend. Merciless in battle and moody in spirit, he is a force few dare challenge. When a mysterious young woman, disguised as a lad, stumbles onto his land, he saves her. But he doesn’t know that she carries secrets darker than the Highland nights. Secrets that can start another war.

Ismay MacPherson has spent her life running from cruelty, from chains, and from the truth that could destroy her. Yet under Constantine’s watchful eyes, she finds a sanctuary that feels impossibly safe, even as she weeps into her supper, her pain unspoken but not unnoticed. Can she dare to trust the Cameron Lochiel with the secret she has carried all her life? And will her past finally catch her in its merciless grip?

In a land where loyalty and vengeance collide, Constantine and Ismay must navigate the treacherous path between love and survival, where the greatest danger may be opening one’s heart.

Tropes you'll Runaway bride, brooding hero, feuding clans, Highland setting, slow burn, secrets, tragic loss, protective hero, healing through love, emotional rescue, trust, redemption, resilience.

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Where Heaven and Earth Collide
Book 1 - Where Highland Thistles Bloom
Book 2 - Where Mountains Pierce the Highland Heart
Book 3 - Where Stars Rule the Highland Night

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 1, 2026

About the author

Paula Quinn is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of medieval, Scottish historical, and paranormal romance. To date, four of her books have garnered a starred review from Publishers Weekly. She has been nominated for Storyteller of the year by RT Book Reviews and every one of her books from the Children of the Mist series have garnered Top Picks from RT Book Reviews. Check out her series, Hearts of the Highlands featuring the brave, romantic MacPhersons on Amazon now!
Also, look for her new time-travel series Echoes In Time coming soon!

Reviews

[TheMoonBrewCozyGrimoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ismays life was thrown into turmoil after her father’s death. When she realizes chief macrae came to collect his “prize” with no agreement from her what will she do ?
Constantine the ghost Camron was feared but is there more to him below the surface.
When Ismay is rescued by a crew of men can she trust them ? When she learns who they are can she ever be safe ?what if they found out her secrets surely they would throw her to the wolves or worse,but what if just maybe she can trust Constantine what if he’s not like other men.

I really enjoy the story line in this book but the old style talking between characters was kind of annoying . If the story is written all in current day dialogue the conversations should be as well in my opinion.
The plot was very well written and fast paced which I’m a huge fan of it kept me interested immediately and through out the whole book . I enjoyed the character development.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

All that lead up fora closed door and quick triumph over the villain RTC

[Laurel Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and found the characters very engaging. It was a nice quick read for me. I would have liked it to be a bit longer. The ending felt rushed.