Lachlan MacLean was buried in the churchyard of Kilchoman on Islay, and he was an accomplished warlike chief who was loved greatly by his clan.
This story is woven with as much accuracy to the period and locations as possible, but any mistakes made are mine alone.
This book forms part of my Highlander Heat series, and each within it are stand-alone.
Please feel free to search for any of my other works. I simply adore strong heroines, and have a ton of fun matching them with their honorable alpha heroes.
Joanne Wadsworth
I love reading romance, but even more, I love to write it. My characters hound me, demanding their stories are told. I’m happy to oblige, giving them the romance they’re after, provided they can accept a little angst and adventure along the way.
In beautiful New Zealand, I live with my hubby and four energetic children, and adore using the stunning countries of the South Pacific as backdrops in many of my books. One day I hope to travel further afield, to visit the Scottish Highlands, America, and everywhere between.
Currently I have three series underway. Highlander Heat, historical Highlander romances, feature strong heroines whose paths collide with their delicious Highland heroes. Look out for Highlander’s Captive, Highlander’s Castle, and Highlander’s Charm, stories that continue to bring this series alive.
Magio-Earth, is a fast-paced YA fantasy romance line, where across worlds, soul-bound mates battle against both love and land.
And in Bodyguards, each heart-pounding story will bring you a bodyguard and the woman he protects.
There is no greater feeling than seeing my characters come to life, so thank you for joining me...where romance meets fantasy and adventure.
To learn more about Joanne and her works, visit:
Website and Blog
http://www.joannewadsworth.com
Facebook
http://facebook.com/joannewadsworthromanceauthor
Twitter
http://twitter.com/JoanneWadsworth
Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6469428.Joanne_Wadsworth
Books by Joanne Wadsworth
Magio-Earth Series
Protector
Warrior
Hunter
Enchanter
Bodyguards Series
Witness Pursuit
Bodyguard Pursuit
Highlander Heat Series
Highlander’s Captive
Highlander’s Castle
Highlander’s Magic
Highlander’s Charm
Highlander’s Castle
Highlander Heat, #1
Traveling through time…for a Highlander.
Anne MacLeod’s identical ancestor has made a wish on the Fairy Flag at Dunvegan Castle, one which sees the two young women swapping places in time and leaving Anne set to handfast with the very man her ancestor wished to escape. Only Anne sees the possibilities, because now she could change the future and ensure her parents never perished in the inferno which took their lives.
Highland warrior Alex MacDonald has made an agreement to handfast with Anne in order to bring a halt to the feud raging between their clans. The last thing he expects though is a woman claiming to come from the future, a woman who stirs him on a physical and emotional level to protect, and to even believe.
When Anne finds herself in her MacLeod chief’s presence, she chooses to go with him in order to leave a message for her parents. In full pursuit, Alex wages a battle of the heart, and of the very essence of time. Can he defy the odds as Anne is taken from him…to work his own magic and get her back?
Witness Pursuit
Bodyguards, #1
One witness...one bodyguard...one life.
Twenty-one-year-old New Zealander Lydia Sands witnessed the hit-and-run of a powerful man’s son. Her bodyguard is shot when the killer returns to dispose of her and The Program puts her in hiding. A year later, the case remains unsolved and her handler needs to get her further from the killer’s reach. Lydia detests the thought of being close enough to endanger the man who nearly died protecting her, even if it’s aboard a super-yacht traveling the South Pacific.
Tyler Whitehall’s shooting stole weeks from his memory. Physically recovered, he oversees security for Whitehall Shipping. While on a family holiday, Tyler is suspicious of the woman accompanying them without notice or security clearance, as his nephew’s caregiver. Stronger than suspicion is his incomprehensible attraction to her, and his instinct to protect her.
Once sensitive information is leaked, Lydia undergoes re-identification to evade a killer and protect the man who’d die to save her. Her bodyguard has just begun his pursuit, and she may have underestimated his abilities.
Bonus Novella: Hunter
For a limited time a bonus novella within Joanne Wadsworth’s Magio-Earth series is included.
This series is fast-paced New Adult Fantasy Romance, where across worlds, soul-bound mates battle against both love and land. There are warriors from one nation who fight to take it all, and protectors from another who will guard and defend their own lands.
Magio-Earth Series
Protector
Warrior
Hunter
Enchanter
Cover Copy: Hunter
Magio-Earth, #2.5
To love and protect…across worlds.
Nineteen-year-old Lieska Alura, a Dralion warrior from the planet Magio, calls an Australian Outback station her home away from home. Hounded by her skilled hunter senses, she is on a mission to track down one man, her soul-bound mate.
Peacian protector and hunter, Cole Cyrano, is driven by his soul’s demand to find his mated one, a woman he knows is his enemy. Dralion and Peacio are at war, and he ignores his soul’s call. Except Lieska shows up during a fierce training session inside his protectors’ arena, and his soul demands he protect her.
Completely, yet impossibly matched, they decide to renounce their bond, only not all goes as planned when Lieska receives word bushfires rage across her Outback station. She leaves, and now nothing can keep Cole from the hunt. He joins Lieska in driving the station’s cattle toward the mighty river, and the chase is on…against both nature and each other. Can the mated pair find their place together in a world at war?
Hunter
by Joanne Wadsworth
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Joanne-Wadsworth/e/B00AVRVIBM/
Chapter 1
A light breeze swirled, scratching nettles against my face where I crouched within the bushes near the enemy’s battle-training arena. I swatted the brush aside, wishing it were just as easy to eliminate the protectors I could never get rid of.
“Lieska, I can’t believe you did this.” Hope, my princess and friend, shoved a pesky branch out of her way. “Why’d you teleport us right into the enemy’s camp?”
“My warrior hunter instincts are on alert, and this is where they led me.”
“A little warning would’ve been nice.”
“Shh, keep your voice down. If we’re found here, it’d look suspicious.”
“Ya think?”
“Hey, you’re the one always up for an adventure.”
“This isn’t a flippin’ adventure.” She blew out a long breath. “Maybe if we acted like normal people, we’d be less likely to catch a second glance.”
“Or you could consider this a training exercise. Your new skills could use the practice.”
“And hiding out in a bush is called practice?”
“It’s called scouting, and it’ll be a handy addition to your warrior arsenal.”
“Yeah, but Silas is one of the enemy. I don’t need to be scouting here.” Hope peered through the bushes, her long blond hair snagging in the scrub. “He trains in this arena every morning. If he saw me without protection this close to his hangout, I’d be in big trouble.”
“I am your protection. Huh, I can’t believe you’re mated to the enemy, and your twin is soul-bound to their
prince. What is this world coming to? Next thing you know, they’ll be no protectors on Magio left for me to fight.”
“Actually, the few protectors Faith and I’ve met haven’t been all that bad.” Hope squeezed my arm. “Sorry. Don’t hate me for saying that.”
“Your opinion is skewed. Silas ensures you don’t meet any of the protectors outside his inner circle. Prince Davio does the same with Faith.”
“Yeah, which means they’ll be hundreds of protectors in there I don’t know, and shouldn’t know.” Her gaze narrowed, and the deep violet denoting her strong Wincrest line, targeted on me. “That is danger times hundreds in case you weren’t counting.”
“You’ll never be in any danger with me. And you can telepath Silas in a heartbeat if you have to.”
“Did you not hear me say big trouble?” She sighed and rubbed her neck. “You’ve gotta tell me. What’s really bugging you? I’ve never seen you this anxious.”
“I don’t know.” Those with the hunter skill had to hunt their prey, whether we knew who they were or not. The urge ate at us until we did. “All I can say is my hunter instincts are blaring at me like never before. Although this time it’s different. I want to hunt, but not hurt.”
“Well, that’s a bonus.” She knocked her shoulder against mine. “It would’ve helped if you’d said that in the beginning. How long has this blaring thing been going on?”
“Five days, but my senses are narrowing in on one. That’s why I decided to bring you.”
“So I’m like your wing-woman?”
“Yep, I need you to keep me sane.”
“Ha. Give me the easy job why don’t you.” She tweaked my chin. “Seriously, what happens next? You intend to hunt then what?”
I rolled the cuffs of my loose black shirt to the elbow, exposing the sheathed daggers at each wrist, weapons I was never without. The pointy tips sparkled under a sliver of sunlight trickling through. Hunt and fight. The desire always fired my blood, but today it was hunt and… Hmm, yeah hunt and something else. “I’m not sure. Be prepared for anything.”
“Anything isn’t good. You can hunt, but not hurt. Wing-woman’s orders.” Hope plunked her tan Stetson on her head. “Unless we can ditch this joint? Wing-woman really wants to do that.”
“You wanna get back to the roundup?”
“I’d rather roundup cattle than have Silas find out I was here.”
“Nope, the outback can wait.” Wincrest Station in the Australian outback was King Donaldo Wincrest’s off-world holding, and where I spent my time when not in Dralion. Goldie and Hope Wincrest ran the place.
“You are one stubborn hunter, Lieska. I wish I could ’port. It’d make my life a lot—”
Chains cranked, and the solid paneled iron gates at the entrance rolled open. This was what I’d been waiting for. Finally I’d be able to see inside the three-story high open-aired arena. It was a beauty with its ancient circular architecture.
“Wow. Do you see that?” Hope whispered.
I shoved the brush farther aside, and we both poked our noses in. The protectors’ arena was close in size to our fighting force’s in Dralion. Their blocked seats were layered back and up and able to hold thousands of spectators. Groups of protectors trained on the central sandy floor with swords and spears and axes, with likely more beyond. Some of the men wore red tunics with leather-flapped skirts, and they lunged and parried, as accurate with their brutally sharp weapons as any warrior would be. The women trained in their battle leathers. So close. This was the chance I’d been waiting for. It had definitely been right to bring Hope. Hopefully she’d be able to help me keep a level head.
“Let’s go.” I gripped Hope’s hand and ’ported us. Everything darkened as I made the short jump through space.
Hope wobbled as we arrived near the wall. “Lieska, what the heck are you doing?”
“You saw the gate open. It’s an invitation I can’t turn down.” I plucked the sides of my hip-hugging black leather pants. “Look at us. I’m dressed no differently to any of the protector women, and you’re completely unassuming in jeans and a t-shirt. Except for this. The Stetson has to go. It screams Earth.” I nabbed it and tossed it behind a flax bush growing beside the wall. “Now no one’s going to suspect we’re from Dralion unless we announce it. We’ll be normal people, not catching a second glance.”
“Geez, I hate how my own words come back to bite me.” She shook her head. “Just make sure you don’t announce our arrival your way. No throwing any daggers at the protectors, because that would be announcing it, in case you weren’t aware.”
“I’m aware, and I’ll try and keep them sheathed, maybe.” I couldn’t stop from rubbing my hands together. Finally I’d have a chance to sort this problem. The hunt was on. I strode in and the breeze lifted my long brown locks and swept strands across my face. Two men battled close by and one of the men’s blade’s struck flesh and bone. Blood spurted in a wide arc. My blood thrummed to join the fight. Oh yeah. I wish I’d been the one to inflict that wound. The injured man grasped his arm, holding the edges closed. His blood ceased running and his skin began to knit together. A fast-healer. Damn. What a shame.
“Ew.” Hope puffed as she caught up. “Are your senses still on fire?”
“Burning bright. So stay close in case I need to ’port us out of here quick.” I followed the safety rail around the perimeter. My senses flared. There. A man in black jeans stretched as if readying himself for training. The denim molded his butt. Mm-mmm.
He selected a two-handed sword from the rack and twirled it in a precise figure eight. Slowly he built up speed, and moved through a series of fluid training moves. He held the battle skills, and only those who had such an affinity for their weapon did.
“Is that him? The one you’re after?” Hope hauled me to a stop.
“Yes, and it appears he needs a battling partner. Wait here.”
“I’ll wait provided you agree not to kill anyone.”
“We’ll see, just don’t draw any attention to yourself.”
“Huh, I can’t believe you’re telling me not to draw attention to myself. Hello. Give yourself your own pep talk.” With a harrumph, she snuck under the railing. She plopped onto the wooden bench and grasped the edge under her knees, squishing her knuckles.
“I would take my own advice, except I don’t think I’m up for listening. That’s why I have you.” She was one of my best friends, even though she’d accepted a protector as her mate. I could deal. Stroking the hilt of my ever-present side sword, I walked toward the one my senses had flared on. “Hey,” I called out. “You look lonely.” Good, keep it casual.
He jerked around, his gaze landing on me.
Whoa. I missed a step. His eyes were to die for. Stunning gold flickered through the darkest shade of brown. The pinpointed gaze of a hunter. My eyes. He had my eyes and my skill.
“Who are you?” He stood an impressive hand over me, and I was close to six feet. Not intimidating, but tall enough I notched up my chin.
“Lieska Alura.”
“Another hunter. Your eyes give you away.”
“As do yours.”
His nostrils flared as he circled me. “I wasn’t aware we had a new recruit with the skill.”
Hmm, interesting. Being a new recruit would explain why I was here, except my skills were too advanced. Best to keep as close to the truth as I could. “You don’t. I came into my adult skills a year ago on my eighteenth and I’ve been training ever since.”
“Not a recruit then. Why’d you walk in?” He shot a look at the gate as a horse and cart rumbled in, loaded with supplies.
“Sorry, it seems the hunter in me couldn’t be denied.”
“Civilians aren’t permitted within this arena.” His gaze moved toward Hope who watched us with eagle eyes. “She’s a civilian too, although I’ve seen her at Loveria Castle with Silas Carver. What’s her name? How do you know her?”
Was this protector within Silas’s inner circle? I opened
my telepathic link with Hope. “Do you know this man?”
“No, I would have said if I did. I’ve seen him around a couple of times, but not formally met him. You’re taking care, right?”
“Care is my middle name.”
“Don’t give me that. It’s more like lunatic.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“Yeah, but lunatic goes nicely with insane.” I waved, and then grinned as she scowled. She was so easy to rile.
“Excuse me.” The man cleared his throat. “You appear rather relaxed for one who just defied Prince Davio Loveria’s rules. No one enters this arena unless sanctioned by him, or Silas Carver, his cousin and second.”
“Then let’s not tell either of them.” I nodded toward Hope. “Hope’s my friend, and also a friend of Silas’s, if that’s of any help.” He’d seen them together, but I wouldn’t go into any further detail. “I simply wanted to see what all the fuss was about, you know, being a protector and all. I’m itching to hone my battle skills, and I’m picking this is the best place for it. You could help me out with that, right?” Although he had a good point about my relaxed state. My hunter skill had calmed and so had I since crossing to him. Strange. Such a thing rarely happened to me, not unless I was amongst my closest.
“Davio and Silas have taken a team out to Sundrimer. I could let this slide, but only if you both remain within my sight. Are you serious about wanting to join the protectors? We could use more hunters.”
“As long as I’m allowed to whip some butt today, I might consider joining.” I probably shouldn’t be trying to antagonize him on his own turf, but I was a warrior. That’s what we did. Riling protectors made our day. “What’s your name?”
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