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eBook Category: Historical Fiction/Romance RIO Award Winner, RIO Award of Excellence Winner, Laurie Award Winner
eBook Description: A Highlander Obsessed.... While the Scottish War for Independence rages, a young Laird heads to the Scottish-English border to avenge his father's vicious murder. The time for retribution has arrived. Rage tightly controlled, Grant Drummond presses forward toward the magnificent Norman-style manor to take its inhabitants by surprise. A Woman Defiant Victoria Blackstone tensed with a sense of foreboding. Her stomach knotted as she surveyed the large men surrounding her. Instinct warned her to escape. Her movements gave Grant Pause. As his grey eyes surveyed the woman fate just delivered into his hands, he smiled--first time since hearing the terrible news about his father's death. Passion flares, but can love survive? After kidnapping his enemy's daughter, Grant whisks Victoria away to Castle Drummond and there holds her hostage. They wage their own war--of strong wills and growing emotions. As the brutal strife intensifies between their countries, the lovers seek fleeting happiness in each other's arms. Torn by their differences, and with such enormous odds stacked against them, can Grant and Victoria's love survive? Or is theirs a love to last through the ages? Published Laurie Readers' and Booksellers' Best Winner

eBook Publisher: Highland Press/Thistle, Published: 2004, 2004
Fictionwise Release Date: February 2007

This eBook is part of the following series:

• Leanne Burroughs' Scottish War for Independence Trilogy

33 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [2.1 MB], eReader (PDB) [477 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [489 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [434 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [375 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [424 KB], hiebook (KML) [1.1 MB], Sony Reader (LRF) [564 KB], iSilo (PDB) [403 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [502 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [554 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [695 KB]
Words: 149884
Reading time: 428-599 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
ISBN: 0-9746249-0-X

"More than one character is living with a history of being unwanted, and this novel goes a long way to depicting the healing that can occur, at the same time that Grant is joining William Wallace in the fight for Scottish freedom. Irony indeed that laces the history of England and Scotland. Very nicely done, Leanne Burroughs."--Vivianne Crystal,The Best Reviews

"Burroughs has done a thorough job researching the book in an effort to tell a story that is strong, memorable. She shows promise of being a very delightful writer of this genre. Her next book Her Highland Rogue is in the works, so I am sure everyone will be looking forward to another heartfelt saga from this wonderful writer."--Deborah MacGillivray, The Best Reviews

"Highland Wishes is every reader's dream of the perfect story! Author Leanne Burroughs has penned a majestic tale filled with romance, history and adventure."--Joyce Handzo,In the Library Reviews

"This story feels like an honest portrayal. The violence and hatred between the Scots and English is vivid. The reader can feel the deep emotions simmering below the surface. The author has shown throughout this book the depth of research she must have done. The author uses apt descriptions of people, places and language to pull the reader into the story. Ultimately, it is the characters that keep the reader turning the pages. Highland Wishes is a great Scottish historical romance with memorable characters. This is the first book this reader has read by this author and I hope it won't be the last. We look forward to Ms. Burrough's next book, Her Highland Rogue, the sequel to Highland Wishes."--Susan, Fallen Angel Reviews

"This reviewer was easily captivated by the story and was enthralled by it until the end. The reader will laugh and cry as you read this wonderful story. The reader feels all the pain, torment and disillusionment felt by both main characters, but also the joy and love they felt. Ms. Burroughs has crafted a well-researched story that gives a glimpse into Scotland during a time when there was upheaval and war for independence. This reviewer is anxiously awaiting her next novel in this series and commends her for a wonderful job done."--Dawn Robert, Love Romances

"Highland Wishes is a meaty, Scottish historical romance. The author transports you to a new place, a new time, and holds your attention from beginning to end. Despite its length, I found my attentions wandering back to it. I ended up forgetting about more pressing needs. Instead, I curled up with one goal--to find out what happened in the end."--Tracey Farnsworth, Roundtable Reviews

"I truly enjoyed reading this book. It is one book that cannot be put down once you begin. From cover to cover, you are drawn into the story. Through the laughter and the tears, you will finish this book wishing it would not end. Leanne Burroughs has truly written a wonderful Scottish historical and the research that must have gone into this book is just wonderful. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read Historical romance."--Tangela William, The Romance Readers Connection

"I do have to say that the dialogue was the best I have ever seen in regards to the Scottish words and pronunciation. It was refreshing to actually read words as they are truly spoken in Scotland, and in my own family's homes. Secondary characters are true to the Scottish form in their hatred of the English...even to this day, if my uncle is anything to go by. I enjoyed the visits by William Wallace, and his open distrust of Tory is, I imagine, exactly how he would have reacted. For a really good Scottish story with secrets, love, insecurities, evil, battles, and laughter, Highland Wishes fills the bill. Kudos to Ms. Burroughs for a true to form read that kept me entertained and wanting more. I look forward to her sequel, Her Highland Rogue."--Catherine McHenry, Romance Reviews Today

"Highland Wishes" is without a doubt one of the best historical novels I've had the privilege to read in a long while. Ms. Burroughs has taken great care in her research of the time period and location and as a result the reader is in for a fulfilling read that will haunt them long after the final page has been read."--Kristi Ahlers, Romance Designs

Grant turned and scanned the section of wall illuminated by muted moonlight. He watched activities surrounding their ultimate destination and felt confident his men would be safe if they remained cloaked in the darkness of night. Soon the men he sent to town earlier returned. The time for retribution had arrived. Rage tightly controlled, he waved his hand and yelled, "Now!"

Following his lead, men pressed forward toward the magnificent Norman doorway to take the manor and its inhabitants by surprise. The blood-curdling Drummond war cry rent the stillness of the night.

Enroute to the stables, Victoria heard commotion in the courtyard. Too late, a hoarse call of warning sounded. Men in all states of dishabille rushed from the hall and barracks. Victoria took refuge behind the largest wooden barrel and crouched behind it.

She thought she heard something ramming the main door. Were they under attack? Surely no one would be foolish enough to attack her father.

High-pitched screams filled the air. In fear, she crouched lower. Could she do aught to help? Her breath caught in her throat, pinioned by fear. She fought rising waves of panic upon realizing she had no weapon. Only thinking of necessities like food and clothing, she'd not once considered protection.

What had she been thinking?

Soon the fierce clanking of swords sounded near to hand and something jostled the barrel where she sought refuge. Who was on the other side? Her father's men? Brazen attackers? Would she be killed? She'd disguised herself as a boy, so they'd never think her a woman. These attackers might kill everyone, similar to what many said the king had done in town.

She shuddered and thought of all she'd heard had been done in the name of her king. Surely it couldn't be true. The English wouldn't really have slaughtered so many.

Why were these people here? More important, who were they?

After repeated curses and screams, fighting stopped, quiet reigned. Had they left? Or were they dead? Surely everyone would be safe. Victoria couldn't imagine anyone foolhardy enough to attack her father's holding. Known for his ferocity in fighting, he wouldn't be considered a kind man. He fought the way he lived his life--Cruelly.

As anxiety coursed through her, Victoria peered around the barrel. Seeing no one, she thought herself safe. Off in the darkness she heard voices. Anxious to check on her grandmum and sister, she peered once again to determine if she could leave the safety the barrel afforded. Suddenly someone grabbed her from behind and jerked her from her hiding place. Howling winds sent a chill down her spine not only of cold, but fear. The ruffian dragged her to the courtyard's center and tossed her at a man's feet as if little more than a sack of grain. When her efforts to fight proved fruitless, the first stirrings of alarm swept through her.

"Found this lad hiding, Grant," the man ground out. "Should I run him through?"

Realizing the blackguard towering above her seriously considered the man's gruff question, she uttered a terrified gasp.

"How auld are you, lad?" the blackguard questioned sternly. Nudging her with the toe of his heavy boot, he seemed to stare into her very being.

She stiffened and lowered her lashes as a knot of fear lodged in her stomach. She dared not speak. If she made that mistake, they'd instantly know her for a woman and she didn't want to find out what these pigs would do then. By the lilt in their voices, Victoria knew they were Scots. Filthy Scots her father always called them. That meant they'd killed her father's men and would soon rape the women. She'd been told often about barbarous Scots. Gathering her courage, she lifted her eyes. Battle-hardened faces confronted her.

Her eyes darted wildly and looked for a means of escape. Finding none, she inched to a standing position. She had to get back to the house. The man before her made no motion to stop her, yet his grey eyes bored into hers. Having met with success in standing, she backed up, but met with firm resistance. A large man's body stood behind her.

"I asked a question, lad," the man said. "How auld are you?"

Howls erupted when she refused to answer. "Mayhap he is deaf, Grant--like Colin--or daft."

Realizing the prospect of escape looked dim, she hoped the soot she rubbed on her face earlier hadn't come off during her scuffle with the scoundrel. She'd piled her long hair beneath her hat before leaving her chamber. With it pulled low enough to conceal most of her face, she hoped they wouldn't peer at her too closely. Mayhap they wouldn't kill someone they thought a mere boy. The blackguard narrowed his eyes and continued staring.

Behind them someone yelled, "Kill the bloody pig, Grant. It matters not how young he is. If he's a Blackstone vassal, he should die. He may have been with the ones that killed your da."

Men hurled insults and obscenities.

As she surveyed the group of men surrounding her, her stomach knotted with a sense of foreboding. Instinct warned to escape right away--and to keep her disguise in place. She fumbled frantically to adjust her shapeless hat, pulling it lower on her face.

Her movement caused Grant to pause.

The thought crossed his mind that the attire before him belonged to a young stable ghillie. Yet something about the coarse trews, smock, and ill-fitting brown jerkin didn't appear true. Narrowing his eyes in scrutiny, he strode closer with deliberate purpose. His eyes never left the young lad's face--or the long black lashes gracefully framing brown eyes. He thought them the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen. Certainly not the eyes or lashes of a lad!

A smirk crossed his face.

In terror, Victoria watched his approach. If he got too close, he'd know. She drove her elbow with deliberate precision into the man behind her, turned and ran. She got all of two steps before he grabbed her shirt and jerked her back. She flailed furiously, causing her cap to fall off in the ensuing scuffle.

The solidly built man twisted a handful of her hair around his beefy hand. He jerked her against his chest and plucked her off her feet for a moment as rage surged in his eyes.

Panic welled in her chest as she winced in pain and bit back a scream.

The cap dislodged, her long-flowing chestnut-colored hair draped gracefully around her shoulders, down to her waist.

"'Tis a lassie!" a gasp of surprise sounded.

Closing her eyes, she swallowed hard and did the only thing she could.

She prayed.

Grant chuckled as Angus rubbed his meaty hand over his stomach and glared. "A gel caught you off guard, did she, Angus? Or could it have been her great beauty--with all that dirt on her face?"

Angus scowled at Grant and dragged her face closer to his by again wrapping her hair around his hand.

Indignant, she tried to jerk free, but failed. She grew more furious by the minute.

The burly man hissed with evident displeasure and placed his face in front of hers. "Lassie or no', if ever you do that again, you'll be dead." Allowing the threat of his words to penetrate, he unwound her hair and shoved her.

When she stumbled into Grant, he grabbed her by her upper arms and steadied her.

"What will you do with her, Grant?" a young man shouted.

Someone referred to as Duff offered the lewd suggestion, "Let us see what she has aneath that shirt." She felt a chill wash over her.

Looking into her soft brown eyes, Grant saw an attempt at bravado. Though tall for a lass, the top of her head didn't even reach his chin. He saw a look of defiance blaze from the depths of her eyes and almost laughed. Most men were afraid of him, so a lassie certainly should be. He guessed this one didn't know that--or didn't care. She should be quaking in her borrowed boots right now. After all, he held her life in his hands. He instilled fear in men much larger and braver than this wee wisp of a girl. His unwavering eyes searched her face.

Leave her. That's what he'd do.

He hadn't come to take prisoners. He traveled to Berwick to kill Blackstone, and that he'd done--with his own sword. He didn't need to kill everyone as the bloody English did a few sennights earlier. Those were their filthy tactics, not his. He'd had his revenge.

Aye, he'd leave her and she could fend for herself. On her back from the looks of those lovely brown eyes.

He continued looking as if staring into her soul. He wondered how he ever could have mistaken her for a lad, even if only momentarily. From what he could now see beneath the soot, he imagined her quite pretty. She returned his glare insolently, yet her breaths came heavy with fear. She drew her tongue between her parched lips.

The effect on him proved immediate. "Fetch her," he shot over his shoulder as he released his grip on her arms and walked away. His men looked after him, stunned, and the young woman stared in mute horror, as if not believing she'd correctly heard his words.

"Nay!" she yelled, aghast. Her eyes grew wide with terror.

Grant heard the desperation in her voice. With one last searching glance he looked at the wide-eyed woman and reaffirmed his resolve.

"Grant?" Alexander queried in obvious disbelief.

"Fetch her, I said," he answered without looking back or sparing the woman in question a second glance. He struggled not to break into a wide grin. Failing, a hint of a smile crossed his face as he walked away and found his mount.

"Twas the first time he smiled since hearing the terrible news about his father.