#Review: Kissing the Highlander by Terry Spear, Victoria Roberts, Vonda Sinclair, Eliza Knight, Willa Blair - 5 Wine Glasses

Title: Kissing the Highlander
Series: Terry Spear, Victoria Roberts, Vonda Sinclair, Eliza Knight, Willa Blair
Format: ebook
Published: February 10th 2015 by Smashwords Edition
ISBN:139781633110052
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Author
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

His Wild Highland Lass by Terry Spear
Lady Sorcha Barclay fled her brother-in-law's castle because of his unwanted advances. An awe-inspiring circle of standing stones captures her attention and she captures the attention of the laird who owns the land.
Laird Ronan Daziel takes Sorcha to his castle to protect her and give her a home. Before long, he wants much more. He's duty-bound to take a wife whose clan wishes an alliance with his. So why does he long to have something more? Everyone loves the lass as much as he does. But he has pledged his loyalty to his clan. Taking Sorcha to wife could lead to battle on several fronts. How can he wed another when she stole his heart from the first moment he laid eyes on her near the ancient standing stones on his lands?

The Highlander's Charm by Eliza Knight
They should be enemies… But passion and love know no bounds.
Returning from battle to England, Samuel de Mowbray discovers that his two younger sisters have been stolen by Highlanders. Determined to save them from vicious warriors, he convinces the king to send him north. While there, he discovers that his loyalties are wavering and that a headstrong, feisty lass could destroy everything he believes.
Catriona Buchanan must travel north to ask for help in saving her brother and ridding her castle of brutal English knights. Unfortunately, to do so, she must trust in the thing she mistrusts the most—an Englishman. Minute by minute, the man who should be her enemy breaks down her defenses. There is something different about him and she can’t help but be captivated by Samuel, and his steamy kisses.

Heart of Stone by Willa Blair
Riding home after two years away, Gavan MacNabb encounters a lass and her deerhound in a moonlit circle of standing stones. Little does he know the garland of bluebells she weaves and the spell she sings will change the course of his life.
Marsali Murray doesn’t really believe the old wives’ tale that making a chain of bluebells by the standing stones under a waxing moon will bring true love, but she’s desperate to try anything to escape the boring, everlasting sameness of her life.
Gavan has already seen much of the world denied to Marsali. He’s ready to settle down. She is eager to spread her wings. Can they find what they need with each other?

Kilts and Kisses by Victoria Roberts
Since the deaths of her parents, Ceana Gunn has lived in the shadow of her uncle and his family. She wants nothing more than to see her clan the way it was when her father was still laird. But her uncle has other ideas. Ceana soon discovers that the only refuge to be found is in the last place she expects—the arms of her enemy.
Luthais MacKay wants to be left alone. His only interest is training his prized hawks. He certainly doesn’t have time to listen to the petty squabbling of his clan when his father travels to Edinburgh and leaves him in charge. But when Luthais discovers a mysterious woman on his lands, he’s determined to unravel her secrets…one layer at a time.

My Captive Highlander by Vonda Sinclair
Can unexpected passion and a little ancient magic turn enemies into lovers?
During a fierce storm on the west coast of Scotland, Shamus MacKenzie barely survives a galley wreck only to be captured and held for ransom by the enemy MacDonalds. Aided by the gift of second sight, Maili MacDonald, sister of the ruthless chief, senses the handsome, dark-haired stranger will somehow be important in her life. Compelled to help him, she insists on providing him food and a healer to see to his injuries. She knows she is daft to fall in love with this captivating warrior after one forbidden kiss but cannot help herself. With each visit from Maili, Shamus finds his thoughts consumed by the enchanting lass. Can he convince her to help him escape the dungeon and prevent the impending battle between the two clans?

Linda's Thoughts:
An Assortment Of Highland Romances To Fall In Love With!

KISSING THE HIGHLANDER is a fabulous collection of Scottish novellas by five wonderfully talented storytellers. I'm a huge fan of each of these authors so this was a must-read for me from the get-go. The novellas are nothing short of an enchanted treat featuring sexy kilted Highlanders, feisty female heroines and happy ever after endings that are each guaranteed to leave the reader with the warm fuzzies. I love that each of the tales has a connection to  the Celtic's circle of standing stones. The ancient monuments have always fascinated me and these stories just served to whet my appetite for more. 

Following please find a very brief synopsis and one of my favorite quotes from each of the stories:

From Terry Spear's, HIS WILD HIGHLAND LASS:

Threatened by her sister's husband, Sorcha flees from his lands in search of someplace safe Laird Ronan finds her and takes her to his keep. But the attraction she feels to him can go nowhere because he must marry another.

“She realized the man holding her as he pulled his horse to a stop was the laird himself.
She couldn't believe he'd leave the feast and his honored guest and not just send someone else after her.
"You were ill and yet you ride alone beyond the castle walls?" Ronan asked incredulously.
She couldn't tell if he was irritated with her or just surprised. He had to have been furious with her if he had left the meal and not stayed with the bonny lass he was courting.
"Riding settles what ails me." She glowered at him. "I am sorry I disturbed your celebration. But I was feeling---"
He leaned down and kissed her then. Hot and passionately on the mouth, like no man had ever done. She was so shocked, she didn't respond at first. And then giving into a need she should have banked for all time because nothing good could ever come of it, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with just as much passion, desiring this more than anything else in the world.” 

From Eliza Knight's THE HIGHLANDER'S CHARM:

Samuel, a Sasannach, is on a mission to find his two sisters who were stolen by Highlanders. Catriona's castle has been overrun by the English. She seeks safe passage to find kin who would help her take back her castle. They agree to help each other even though they should be enemies. Can they ignore the attraction each feels to the other? 

“Do ye trust me enough to follow me up the hill and see if the hot spring truly exists?"
"As cold as my toes are, I'd be willing to follow you if you said there was a fire lit by a dragon."
Catriona let out a little laugh. "We have only fairies here, ye can keep your dragons." Samuel winked.
"Which is mightier?"
"I'm surprised ye wouldn't think a dragon, sir," she said, steering her horse around the tall stones and then up the slippery slope behind them.
"Fairies have magic."
"And dragons have fire."
..."Fire is not always more potent than magic," Samuel called.” 

From Willa Blair's HEART OF STONE:

Marsali seeks her one true love by weaving bluebells amidst the stones. Gavan comes upon her as she finishes her task and Marsali's deerhound hones her matchmaking skills. Will Gavan escape from the spell cast within the stones?

“The hound was a problem. Protective of her mistress, aye, but also seemingly determined to throw them together. Gavan shook his head. Now, there was a silly though. A matchmaking deerhound.” 


From Victoria Roberts' KILTS AND KISSES:

Ceana and her sister have lost their parents in a violent attack. Her uncle takes over as laird. The two sisters' lives give neither a reason to smile. One day, Luthais comes upon Ceana who has sought peace within the stones which are located on his lands. They are attracted to each other and like similar things. He is betrothed to another; Can there be any future for them? 

“He leaned slightly in to her, tilting his handsome face toward hers.
"I'm going to kiss ye now. Donna be afraid."
She could hear her own breath becoming ragged. "I am nae afraid." Deep down she was petrified.
He moved his mouth over hers, and the touch of his lips was tender and passionate. The kiss was slow and thoughtful, as if he wanted her to savor every delicious moment. Her heart jolted and her pulse pounded. God help her because she was powerless to resist him. His fingers caressed her cheek, her flesh prickling at his mere touch. She was shocked at her own eager response. She knew she should deny him, but she couldn't.” 

From Vonda Sinclair's MY CAPTIVE HIGHLANDER:

When his boat wrecks in a storm, Shamus is captured and imprisoned by the MacDonalds. The laird's sister, Maili, is gifted with the sight and sees much death for her people if he is not released. So...against her brother's orders, she aids him in escaping. Do they have a future?

“Heat stole over her for she suspected he might be trying to charm her, and she was not immune. 'Twould be too easy to fall under his spell. "I've already given you food. You are mighty demanding for a prisoner."
A grin quirked his lips. "There is something I want from you after I'm free." She was afraid to ask, but she had to know. "And what is that?"
"A kiss.” 

Be forewarned that this collection will leave you craving more from each of the authors. They are an excellent way to sample the work of each of the acclaimed authors :-) 

This is an utterly fantastic collection that you won't want to put down once you start reading and that you'll pick up to read again and again. I highly recommend KISSING THE HIGHLANDER for fans of Scottish romances!