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Scottish Treasure #2
Defended by a Highland Renegade: A Scottish Historical Romance
When Lady Mairiana MacKerrick witnesses her fiancé, Alec Lindsay, committing a murder three days before their wedding, she decides she must run away. Darack Grant, secretly an outlaw MacGregor, is on a clandestine mission, but when he finds Mairiana hiding in the stables, he decides to help her escape. He remembers the lovely lass from their one meeting a few years before. Though he was drawn to her, he always saw her as far beyond his reach. Mairiana finds her hidden inner strength and trusts the Highland renegade to protect her on their journey through the Scottish Highlands. On the way, they find an astonishing passion. But Alec will stop at nothing to reclaim his betrothed and destroy Darack, even pin a murder on him.Excerpt Angus, Scotland, June 1619 Sitting at the high table, Lady Mairiana MacKerrick frowned. She was listening to her fiancé, Alec Lindsay, as he murmured to the young guard who hovered about on the other side of his chair. "Meet me in the stables in a half hour." Alec's voice was barely audible to Mairiana over the roar of conversation in the crowded great hall of Lenor Castle, but what she heard crackled with impatience and irritation. What was Alec riled about? He'd always kept such a tight rein on his temper, she hadn't realized he'd had one. But over the last few days, his easygoing charm had begun to slip into a dour mood. He'd shoved down one of the young stable lads when they'd first arrived, then yelled at a serving wench shortly thereafter in the great hall. Mairiana had assumed he was simply exhausted and irritable, but what if it was something more? What if his true nature was rising to the surface? She was to wed him three days hence, but now she was growing uncertain about her future husband. He had been acting oddly since they had been in Perth, several days ago. That was when her brother Dugald, chief of the MacKerricks, had accused someone in the Lindsay clan of stealing a valuable dagger from him, the MacKerrick family heirloom known as the King Richard dagger. Mairiana hadn't seen the dagger since Dugald had carried it at her betrothal ceremony, and she'd defended Alec's innocence the entire time. She'd thought her short-tempered brother was overreacting and blaming whoever was convenient. But now, she was starting to suspect her brother might have been right. A cold, prickling dread settling into the bottom of her stomach, she pretended not to hear Alec speaking to his attendant. Instead, she gazed down at the jeweled thistle brooch Alec had given her a short time earlier—a wedding present, he'd said. 'Twas not a new brooch. It appeared to be a hundred or more years old. Most of the silver had been polished recently, but some tarnish remained in the tiniest cracks and crevices. Not obvious unless one examined it closely. Surely the rubies, sapphires and emeralds were real. It felt heavy and valuable. Alec leaned down close to her ear and murmured in what seemed to be a warm, intimate tone, "Do you like it?" "Aye, 'tis lovely." She glanced briefly at the lanky guard of about a score years who strode toward the stairwell. She still wondered what they were up to. "Was the brooch your mother's?" she asked Alec. His mother had passed many years ago, and now his father, Angus Lindsay, was married to a much younger woman. "Nay, 'twas passed down from my father's great aunt." Alec's blue eyes twinkled in that captivating way which had always beguiled her. From the moment she'd met him, she'd considered him perfect for her, from his golden hair to his strong muscular body. But was he sincere? "I love family heirlooms. They're so important in the traditions of a clan." Mairiana watched his handsome face closely, wondering if he truly had stolen her brother's dagger. One of Alec's tawny brows twitched. "I agree.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2016
52 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Vonda Sinclair
32 books353 followersVonda Sinclair is the USA Today bestselling author of award-winning Scottish historical romance novels and novellas. Her favorite pastime is exploring Scotland and taking photos along the way. She especially loves ancient castle ruins! She also enjoys writing about hot Highland heroes, unconventional ladies and the healing power of love. Her series are the Highland Shifters Series, the Highland Adventure Series and the Scottish Treasure Series. Her books have won the National Readers' Choice Award, the CRW Award of Excellence, the Winter Rose Award of Excellence in Published Romantic Fiction--1st Place Historical, and an EPIC Award. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is crafting another adventurous, wildly romantic Scottish story. Please visit her website at www.vondasinclair.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 9, 2018
idk why I didn't realize this was a novella. I read it in less than an hour. holy insta love. they "hated" each other for a paragraph, each thinking the other was rude/spoiled and then bam! after 2 hours they're in love. I don't like novellas that rush things like this, and this one in particular was highly disappointing.
March 1, 2020
All beautiful but naive Lady Mairiana MacKerrick wants to do is marry Alec Lindsay, whom she thinks she loves, until that is, she is witness to him murdering an innocent young man and realises that not only did he steel her brother's dagger, but he is a liar, has a terrible and violent temper and is a murderer. Fearful for her life, should Alec find out she saw what he did, she begs Darack Grant to help her escape, when he finds her in the stables.
But Darack is not who he seems.
This handsome, tall, heroic and honest young man has his own story to tell and soon their attraction to each other turns to love in this magical tale of twists and turns.
They are both on the run, but the villains are always close by and the pace of this book moves along quickly, from the very beginning to the very end.
Vonda Sinclair spins her usual magic in this wonderful tale of two young people finding love in the darkest of times. I couldn't put it down, I loved it!!
But Darack is not who he seems.
This handsome, tall, heroic and honest young man has his own story to tell and soon their attraction to each other turns to love in this magical tale of twists and turns.
They are both on the run, but the villains are always close by and the pace of this book moves along quickly, from the very beginning to the very end.
Vonda Sinclair spins her usual magic in this wonderful tale of two young people finding love in the darkest of times. I couldn't put it down, I loved it!!
January 31, 2018
Lady Mariana MacKerrick is happy. She's settled, after becoming engaged to the man of her (almost) dreams. That is until the night that she learns his secret double life and witnesses him murder a man in cold blood... Darack Grant, secretly an outlaw MacGregor, is on a secret mission to find that which was stolen from his mother and bring it back to her. But things take a turn and he is honor bound to help the bonny lass escape her betrothal and return to her home.
Though Darack finds an evergrowing attraction to the lady, she is well beyond his station. What life could a renegade ever hope to give a highborn lady?
Though Darack finds an evergrowing attraction to the lady, she is well beyond his station. What life could a renegade ever hope to give a highborn lady?
February 26, 2018
Mairiana is the first heroine I've come across in a Vonda Sinclair story that had me all over the place (in a good way). In the previous novella I didn't like Mairiana. I thought she was spoiled, selfish, shallow and not overly interesting. I wanted to see her redeemed but at the same time I didn't see how it was possible. I was blown away that she was redeemed and how quickly it was done. Vonda Sinclair is a magician. Darack was a wonderful hero, and he bugged Mairiana mercilessly, I laughed quite a bit at his antics. I didn't want the story to end. A very captivating and wonderfully written story, from start to finish.
January 25, 2018
Enchanting the Highlander Anthology
Mairana just found out that her fiancé is a thief and a murderer. Thankfully her brother's friend Darack happens to be there because he had been spying on the fiancé in question. Darack and Mairana team up to get back to her brother. Of course, along the way, they fall in love. So, even though it was obvious, it was a very cute story and both the characters were very likeable.
Mairana just found out that her fiancé is a thief and a murderer. Thankfully her brother's friend Darack happens to be there because he had been spying on the fiancé in question. Darack and Mairana team up to get back to her brother. Of course, along the way, they fall in love. So, even though it was obvious, it was a very cute story and both the characters were very likeable.
February 21, 2018
I love Vonda Sinclair's series of books - each with its hero and heroine. I can't imagine finding out that someone in my life is a thief, liar, murderer and abuser. As with all of this genre, the hero is brawd, tall, and chivalrous. The heroine is bonny, naive but adventuresome and brave. Despite this categorical profiling, the author does make a lively story and throws in a bit of history... Still loved it. Takes my mind off of today's school shooting and the political rife of our day.
March 2, 2017
Wonderful! !!!!
I am absolutely in love with this series. Darack finds Mairiana hiding in the stables after she witnesses her betrothed murder a mam. Darack being there for his own reasons helps her and vows to get her back to her brother. I can say it best like this. I'll tell you what I want, what I really really . I really really want another book in this series! ❤ ❤ ❤
I am absolutely in love with this series. Darack finds Mairiana hiding in the stables after she witnesses her betrothed murder a mam. Darack being there for his own reasons helps her and vows to get her back to her brother. I can say it best like this. I'll tell you what I want, what I really really . I really really want another book in this series! ❤ ❤ ❤
February 21, 2018
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
We all need a Darack in our lives, Be still my Heart .
The perfect hero , leader of an outlawed clan , defender of women, and downright drop dead gorgeous, braw highlander.
Mairiana , sister to a clan Chief , betrothed to a murdering chiefs son , determined, feisty and outspoken.
The two together make for a wonderfully, entertaining and enjoyable read .
April 20, 2019
Defended by a Highland Renegade
How often are we dazzled only by what we see. Unfortunately, the bad is only exposed too late, but not in this highland tale. A lovely romantic story, with lovely characters! Enjoy!
How often are we dazzled only by what we see. Unfortunately, the bad is only exposed too late, but not in this highland tale. A lovely romantic story, with lovely characters! Enjoy!
March 12, 2017
A Reader's Opinion: 5 Stars - "Enchanting!"
Read the full review: http://booksandbenches.2.vu/highland-...
Read the full review: http://booksandbenches.2.vu/highland-...
July 11, 2023
Love the book
I really love all you books. Once you start ready them you just can't put them down. I have read most of her books and highly recommend them.
I really love all you books. Once you start ready them you just can't put them down. I have read most of her books and highly recommend them.
Read
December 18, 2016 Vonda Sinclair's Defended by the Highlander is a fantastic read of of a lass on the run from a murdering finance and runs into a brawny highlander Darack Grant aka (MacGregor )whose name in Scotland is outlawed , these two characters are amazing , lots of intrigue , suspense ,trust and romance , love this lady's writing she brings me so much pleasure when i read one of her books , highly recommend.
March 27, 2017
Third novella in the "Enchanting the Highlander" anthology.
She was kind of whiny and he was mocking her for it. They seemed to get mad at each other over the most trivial things. Kind of found it hard to see why they even liked each other. It got better towards the end, but in the beginning it was difficult to like either of them as characters.
She was kind of whiny and he was mocking her for it. They seemed to get mad at each other over the most trivial things. Kind of found it hard to see why they even liked each other. It got better towards the end, but in the beginning it was difficult to like either of them as characters.
May 8, 2018
Really good
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews