Seduction of a Highland Warrior (Highland Warriors Book 4)
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Seduction of a Highland Warrior
Highland Warriors Book 4
Sue-Ellen Welfonder
USA Today Bestselling Author
Contents
Praise for Seduction of a Highland Warrior
Praise for Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Mini Excerpt
Acknowledgments
A Personal Note to Readers
Quote
The Honor of Clan Donald
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Sneak Peek
About the Author
Connect with Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Available Sue-Ellen Welfonder Titles
Copyright 2012 by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
E-book Edition Copyright 2019 by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
www.welfonder.com
Cover Design by JennJ Designs
www.jennjdesigns.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the Author/Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
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Blurb
Highland Warriors
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Three fierce warriors in a battle only one can win … three proud women sworn to end the bloodshed … an exciting Scottish medieval series!
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Since the oldest days of Highland memory, the Glen of Many Legends has been drenched by the blood of three clans who claim the glen as their own. The warrior chieftains are bold and powerful, each refusing to yield land held for centuries. Unbeknownst to them, three determined lasses are about to unite to end the feud and return peace to their cherished glen. But when their plan takes them from battlefield to bedchamber, neither laird nor lass will escape the blaze of passion…
Seduction of a Highland Warrior
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Highland Warriors Book 4
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A King’s Command…
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Highland Warrior Alasdair MacDonald is a fierce and proud laird, sworn to preserve the peace in the Glen of Many Legends. His heart belongs only to his beloved land – until the sister of his greatest enemy pleads his help to avoid her pending betrothal. Now Alasdair is torn, for he believes a man is nothing without honor, and he’s given the King his word. But how can he refuse a damsel in distress?
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A Lady in Need…
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Marjory Mackintosh, often called Lady Norn, will do anything to unite the glen’s warring clans. But a dangerous new menace now threatens her beloved hills – and her. She is certain her husband-to-be has no intention of marrying her. She believes the Norse warlord coming to claim her has a nefarious plan: one that will end her life.
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A Perilous Love…
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Such a fate is one that Alasdair cannot allow to happen to the woman he secretly desires. Yet giving her refuge – even if he vows not to touch her – will risk the fragile peace in the glen. And the King has ruled that all three glen clans shall be banished if unrest erupts again. Alasdair and Marjory must prove that a worse danger than clan feuding is about to descend on the Glen of Many Legends. As Alasdair prepares for this new battle, Marjory readies her own. She’ll use seduction to convince Alasdair that sometimes the greatest triumph isn’t won by the sword, but the heart.
Enjoy the entire Highland Warriors series…
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Sins of a Highland Devil
Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel
Once Upon a Highland Christmas (holiday novella)
Seduction of a Highland Warrior
Praise for Seduction of a Highland Warrior
Top Pick ~ 4.5 Stars ~ K.I.S.S Hero Award
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“Welfonder at her finest. A highly sensual and emotional romance steeped in rich lore and legend, adding a fairytale dimension that will have readers sighing with happiness. Unforgettable.” ~ RT Book Reviews
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“An emotional journey that floods the senses and makes the heart pound. This one kept me up late and was worth every minute.” ~ LongandShortReviews.com
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“Absolutely loved it! When you read any of Sue-Ellen’s stories you feel like you are right there. I couldn’t put this book down but when I did, I was counting the minutes until I could pick it up again. Wonderful!” ~ Seawitch Reviews From the Bookshelf
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“Beautiful ending to a wonderful series. Sue-Ellen painted medieval Scotland so clearly that my senses came alive while reading. This series of highland warriors and the women they love will stay with me for a long time to come!” ~ Rogues Under The Covers
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“Medieval Scotland comes alive with this story as Welfonder brings you to the beautiful Highlands. Lore, magic and mystic, so engaging - a thrilling end of the series.” ~ Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
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“There’s nothing like a Highlander fighting for his woman.
Get ready to be taken back in time to the Highlands! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It will make you wish you were there.” ~ Loves Historical
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“LOVE LOVE LOVED IT! I can’t get enough of anything Scottish and this lady delivers excellent fantasies!! Highly suggest reading Welfonder’s whole series.” ~ Amazon
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“The Highland Warriors series is spellbinding! Cannot say enough for Welfonder’s novels! I have all of them. Her books hold your interest from cover to cover and leave you wanting more. She is an absolutely fantastic writer!” ~ Dreamweaver
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“Everything you could possibly want in a Medieval Scottish romance. This is the last in this wonderful series of strong, determined, proud, fierce Highland warriors and their fierce lady loves. A must read!” ~ My Book Addiction and More
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“Another great story. Upon reading the first book in this series, I was hooked. I loved them all!” ~ Amazon
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“Seduction of a Highland Warrior was indeed seductive. Hot blooded, passionate men with swoon worthy Scottish burrs and determined lasses .. rich, magic-laced, a fantastic read.” ~ Anna’s Herding Cats
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“A true treasure … Few writers can bring history to life like Sue-Ellen Welfonder.” ~ Heather Graham, New York Times Bestselling Author
Praise for Sue-Ellen Welfonder
“With each book Welfonder reinforces her well-deserved reputation as one of the finest writers of Scottish romance.” ~ RT Book Reviews
“Welfonder takes the reader away from the mundane and gives her an emot
ional journey that floods the senses and makes the heart pound.” ~ Long and Short Reviews
“Welfonder weaves ancient histories, legends, and fascinating lore into sensual Highlander romance.” ~ Writers and Readers
“Welfonder’s love of Scotland shines on every page.” ~ Romantic Times
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“Welfonder writes characters boldly and as a reader I am drawn to them. As for her settings, nobody does it better. She writes Scotland as only a person who has walked the land and left a piece of herself there which she truly has. Any Sue-Ellen Welfonder book will transport you to Scotland and be an excellent read!” ~ SimplyStacie.net
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“Welfonder writes great tales of passion and adventure.” ~ Romance Reviews Magazine
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“Welfonder knows all the best ingredients for the perfect Highland romance.” ~ A Romance Review
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“Sue-Ellen Welfonder books are like good friends...you’ll laugh with them, cry with them, dream with them and keep them with you always!” ~ Amazon
Mini Excerpt
A Warrior Seduced…
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“Damnation, lass. Dinnae speak so.” He gripped her hips, pulling her closer until she couldn’t doubt what she did to him. “You will bring me to my knees.”
“I will do what I must.” She leaned up on her toes, kissed him lightly. “And not of whit of it is damning. To me, this is a wonder.”
“Nae, it is madness.”
“Madness is to deny one’s heart.” She kissed him again. “The comfort of shared bliss, even stolen-”
“Say no more, lest you push me too far.” He already verged on his limits. She moved against him, tantalizing him, hurtling him into a fire he couldn’t begin to douse. Flames already scorched him.
He frowned, certain she knew.
Dedication
With love and much affection to Aurora Mata, dear friend, loyal reader, and all-around special and generous soul. Above all, Aurora is a Scotophile extraordinaire.
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Cuban-born, now a proud American, her heart is all Scottish.
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Aurora also walks the walk: she’s stood atop the heathery hills, knows the heady scent of peat, she’s journeyed on the Loch Lomond mail boat, experienced true magic on the Isle of Mull, and she’s charmed the staff at my own Duncan MacKenzie’s castle, Eilean Donan near Skye. Stateside, she’s a well-kent face at Highland Games.
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Aurora, I love you bunches. I’m sure you were a Highland chieftain’s lady in a past life. And I’m wishing you many more Scottish adventures in this one.
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Alba gu brath!
(Scotland forever)
Acknowledgments
As ever, to my very handsome husband Manfred, who I am sure wishes I’d kept my stewardess wings rather than reach for a pen. I don’t know how he tolerates the craziness of my writing life. But he does, even safeguarding me so the ‘real world’ remains outside, far from my writer’s cave.
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Likewise in loving memory of my beloved Jack Russell terrier, Em. I could write for a thousand years and not find words for how much I miss him. His best buddy, my cat Snuggles, keeps me going, filling my heart with love and making me laugh. Precious little man, you are my life.
A Personal Note to Readers
A Personal Note to Readers…
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Please note this is a work of fiction and not meant to reflect cold, hard reality. The following pages contain elements of fantasy such as myth and legend, standing stones, Norse lore, magic, ghosts, enchanted beasties, ancients who practice the old ways, etc. A suspension of belief is therefore required. As this is a romance novel, there is also explicit sex. As a romance novel written by me, it does not contain the F-word or other profanity. It does include bold Highland warriors, fierce Vikings and battles with them, strong-willed lasses, and a breathtaking Scottish setting that is one of my all-time favorites. Some places are written as enchanted, locations where unusual things can happen. That’s because I perceive them so. Above all, this story is about heeding your heart – it always knows the way home. The real world won’t be found in this book’s pages, only a reflection of how I wish the world could be. I hope you’ll enjoy spending time there.
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Wishing you Highland magic,
Sue-Ellen Welfonder
(aka Allie Mackay)
Quote
“A man could sooner dim the sun than resist the woman he loves.” ~ Alasdair MacDonald, proud Highland warrior, sworn to duty and honor, Clan Chieftain and Laird of Blackshore Castle
The Honor of Clan Donald
In the beginning of days, before Highland warriors walked heather-clad hills and gazed in awe across moors chased by cloud shadows, old gods ruled the dark and misty realm that would one day be known as Scotland. Glens were silent then, empty but for the whistle of the wind and the curl of waves on sparkling sea-lochs.
Yet if a man looked and listened with his heart rather than his eyes and ears, he might catch a glimpse of wonders beyond telling.
For Manannan Mac Lir, mighty god of sea and wind, loved these rugged Scottish shores. Those who haven’t forgotten legend will swear that stormy days saw Manannan plying Highland waters in his magical galley, Wave Sweeper. Or that on nights when the full moon shone bright, he favored riding the edge of the sea on his enchanted horse Embarr of the Flowing Mane. All tales claimed that wherever he was, Manannan never lost sight of Scotland’s cliff-fretted coast. One stretch of shoreline was said to hold his especial attention: a place of such splendor even his jaded heart swelled to behold its wild and haunting beauty.
That place was the Glen of Many Legends.
Storytellers agree that when the day came that Manannan observed a proud and noble MacDonald warrior stride into this fair land of heather, rock, and silvery seas, he was most pleased.
Those were distant times, but even then the men of Clan Donald were gaining a reputation as men of fierce loyalty and unbending honor.
They were the best of all Highlanders.
Even the gods stood in awe of them.
So Manannan’s pleasure grew when this MacDonald warrior, an early chieftain known as Drangar the Strong, chose this blessed spot to build a fine isle-girt fortress. Here, Drangar the Strong would guard the coast with his trustworthy and fearless garrison. And - the talespinners again agreed - the great god of sea and wind surely believed Clan Donald would blossom and thrive, gifting the Glen of Many Legends with generations of braw Highland warriors and beautiful, spirited women.
The world was good.
Until the ill-fated day when Drangar took a moonlit walk along the night-silvered shore of his sea-loch and happened across a lovely Selkie maid who no red-blooded man could’ve resisted.
Her dark hair gleamed like moonlight on water and her eyes shone like the stars. Her lips were seductively curved and ripe for kissing. And her shapely form beckoned, all smooth, creamy skin and tempting shadows.
MacDonalds, it must now be said, are as well-lusted as their hearts are loyal and true.
Drangar fell hard, succumbing to the seal woman’s charms there and then.
But such passions flare hotly only for a beat, at least for the woman-of-the-sea who soon suffers unbearable longings to return to her watery home.
Nor is any Highlander unaware of the tragedies that so often befall these enchanting creatures and the mortal men who lose their hearts to them. Such tales abound along Scotland’s coasts and throughout the Western Isles, with every clan bard able to sing of the heartache and danger, the ills that can break good men.
Or, perhaps worst of all, the tears of children born to such unions.