Mairead Hay is excited when her parents break the news that it is, at last, time to put her training as a spy into practice. She is not so sure, however, that her partner is to be a young man assigned to learn more from her father. “A man I dinna know?” she says. “How can I be partners with such a person?” Her father had brought home many such young men before, men who had dreams of being a hero and ears too proud to listen to a lass… But Tam Mackenzie is neither a callow youth nor too proud to recognize Mairead for the skilled spy she has become. Having already proven himself in service to the King, he has no need to strut like a peacock in front of a lass—even one that instantly captures his heart like this one. Mairead, her father and Tam set off for the Buchanan Keep to find out why it has been so easy for English prisoners to escape while in Ailbert Buchanan’s care. Is he truly loyal to the King, or is there treachery afoot? They have scarcely set foot in the Keep before trouble breaks out yet again. Mairead finds herself a captive, with only her wits and training to get her out of trouble… and a new partner who vows that he will protect her at all costs.

A rebellious lass who is forced to wed. A groom still mourning his lost wife and child. It's not a recipe for a happy union in the Highlands of Scotland... “That wildcat in the Chisholm clan,” is the way most people describe Mairi Chisholm. Mairi makes no secret of the fact that she would rather be out taking down a wild pig with her childhood friend Iain, the fletcher’s son, than plying a needle with the women. Her father, tired of her rejection of one suitable match after another, finally presents her with an ultimatum: Marry Alastair Maclean or spend the rest of her life in the priory. Mairi knows that she would never survive in a priory, locked away from her beloved outdoor pursuits. But nor can she endure the thought of a loveless marriage to Alastair, who has never stopped mourning the loss of his adored first wife Madeline in childbed. Left without choices, Mairi becomes Alastair’s wife. Life is every bit as bad as she feared. Alastair’s sister Rhona clearly does not want to see her brother married to the Chisholm wildcat, and Alastair himself is as cold as the frigid wind that blows across the Highlands. Mairi resolves to resign herself to the demands of the marriage bed, and devote her life to raising bairns with the love she was never shown. But one day, she finds herself in more danger than she has ever known… and everything changes.

Gavin Hay is devastated when he learns that his parents, who have spent their lives in dangerous service to the King, have disappeared while on a mission. He sets off to find them, not knowing whether he’ll be rescuing or bringing him their bodies—with his fey sister Isobel’s whispered parting words echoing in his brain: “Gavin, you must trust only a lass who is marked in scarlet, with hair like a lad…” He finally arrives at the Menzies Keep, knowing that he must keep his wits about him with these known traitors, or he will be despatched as speedily as his lost parents. But he finds an unexpected ally: the girl spoken of by his wee sister Isobel. Firtha, a lowly maid in the keep, is treated worse than the curs that scrounge around the muddy yard. But she is brave, and resourceful, and eager to help the son of Lady Hay, who was so kind to her. But life in the Highlands is not easy, especially for a King’s spy. Gavin has to call upon all his strength and cunning to face his enemies and to find out the fate of his parents. And Firtha? Dare she dream that one day she might be more than a maid to Gavin Hay?

"A great read! The story moves right along..." Enjoy five fast-paced, engrossing stories about Highlanders and their brides. Book 1 The Highlander's Last-Minute Bride Jane MacKay has little choice: if she does not agree to wed lecherous old Laird Sutherland, her terrified younger sister Heather will be handed over to him in her stead. Jane cannot allow that to happen. With a heavy heart, she journeys to the Sutherland Keep to marry a man whose infamy has spread far and wide—a man who has already buried two wives. Book 2 The Highlander's High-Stakes Bride Gareth and Brodie Hay, brothers born just a twelvemonth apart, are famous for their carousing in the local tavern and love of gambling. When their mother becomes seriously ill, their father insists that one of them must take a wife to help out. Neither wants to give up his free and easy lifestyle—so they decide to let a throw of the dice determine the loser. But the bride is not at all impressed! Book 3 The Highlander's Substitute Bride Crissa and Owena Macleod, auburn-haired identical twins, have always been close. But after a tragedy, Crissa thinks she may never recover from losing both her husband and her darling child. She spends her days quietly in the Maclean Keep—until one day her twin, Owena, comes to her begging for help. Will Crissa take Owena’s place in an arranged marriage, so Owena can marry the one she truly loves? Book 4 The Highlander's Reckless Bride Owena Macleod, daughter of Laird Iain Macleod and twin sister to Crissa, has always yearned for an adventurous life. She falls in love with a brave and dashing King’s Spy, and is distraught when her father arranges her betrothal to Laird Kenrik Maclean. She pleads with her twin Crissa to take her place in the nuptials, and Owena takes her name and slips away… but life will not be kind to her…. Book 5 The Highlander's Rescued Bride Anice Gordon has been a sore trial to her parents from the day she was born. Headstrong, impulsive and forever in trouble, she is a lass who seems to attract disaster. Robert Ogilvy, her brother Donal's best friend, grew up having to rescue Anice from one mishap after another. He is fond of Anice, but when her father announces that the two shall be betrothed, Robert is dismayed.…

Hamish Maclean has overcome many challenges in his life, but none so difficult as the one that faces him now: how to win the trust of a woman who has borne too much mistreatment in her life. Jessie Gunn trusts no man, and has good reasons for feeling that way. Renowned for his fierceness on the field of battle, and especially for the hot temper that has seen many a warrior quail, Hamish has been content to encourage the rumours that enhance his reputation. It’s to his benefit that other clans and warriors think twice before facing Hamish Maclean. Until now—when he yearns for a woman who abhors violence and thinks that Hamish is the embodiment of all she detests. Hamish has never forgotten his first sight of Jessie Gunn. Then a quick-tempered youth with blood running hot in his veins from battle, he came across the young lass cowering in a dungeon: battered, bruised and covered in the blood of one of Cormag McPherson’s cruel guards, lying dead close by. Jessie was then like a wild thing, ready to attack any male who came hear her. Now, six years later, she is content with her life in the service of her beloved mistress Caitriona, safe in the Maclean keep. She is adamant, however, that she has no use for a man. Then disaster strikes, and once again Hamish and Jessie find themselves caught up in a war between clans caused by a woman’s need to defend her honour. Hamish is distraught about bringing trouble to his clan, while Jessie is terrified that she will lose her freedom. Laird Maclean has a solution—but will the troubled pair agree?

Anne Maclean is a highlander’s daughter: born of a proud clan—and, like her aunt and uncle, a brave and loyal spy for the King of Scotland. The Maclean clan has many enemies, but none so vicious and determined to kill them all as Col Pearce, a King’s soldier who saw his career crumble by ill health after being wounded by Mairead Hay, Anne’s cousin. Col has vowed revenge, and does not hesitate when he gets his chance to kill Anne’s partner Hew and take her captive. But while Col Pearce has been following Anne, he himself is under scrutiny for his cruelty not only to Scottish clans but the English as well. The King of England has tasked Wade Harland with finding Col and taking care of the problem… but Wade has also heard whispers of Col’s vendetta against the Hay and Maclean clans. When Wade and his partner Robin find Hew’s body and evidence that he has taken a woman, they set out to find Col and rescue her. For Wade is convinced that the woman is Mairead Hay, a Scottish spy to whom he owes his life. When he finds that the woman is not dark-haired, level-headed Mairead, but a flame-haired Scottish spitfire who hates the English with a passion, he has to work hard to make her trust him. Worse, he knows that Col has vowed to kill them both. Wade and Anne find themselves not only fighting for their lives, but also fighting their feelings for each other… and denying a love that can never be. An English Lion and a Scottish spy… their relationship is surely doomed.

A daughter of Scottish spies who is 'touched by the fay'. A dispossessed Laird, raised in secrecy by loyal servants. And cruel rival clan leader who is determined to keep his spoils... Isobel Hay is the youngest daughter of Owena and Rory Hay, an unconventional couple that have been loyal spies for the King of Scotland all their lives. Their two eldest children, Gavin and Mairead Hay, have also proved themselves brave and loyal in service to the king—but flame-haired, blue-eyed Isobel is different. Her family have always known that their strange young daughter has been touched by the fay, but they are ill-prepared when she is drawn into clan warfare surrounding the man she has always known she will marry—the rightful Laird Mackenzie. Fergus Mackenzie was driven out of his home by the McGregors in a night of death and flames when he was but a child of eight summers, and hidden away by loyal servants until he is old enough to reclaim his heritage. But on that dreadful night, so long ago, Fergus had a vision of a red-haired babe that he thought of as his salvation. Both he and Isobel, raised in different homes, have always known that they were meant to be together. But ten weeks before Isobel is to wed Fergus, the warlike McGregors set fire to the Hay keep and steal Isobel away—along with her wee niece, Seona. Now it is up to Fergus to unite the restive clans who may have reason to rise up against the McGregors and the Gunns, and rescue his Isobel before they decide she is of no use to them and kill her. But will the clans support him? Are there enough of them? And... will he get there in time?