Hildie McQueen

The Beast by Hildie McQueen
Clan Ross of the Hebrides series #2. Historical Scottish romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but characters from the first book play minor roles in this book.
Beatrice Macdonald has been staying at the Ross family estate to make sure her eldest sister is happy in her marriage arrangement (book 1). Wanting to stay past the wedding events, she sends a note home that Duncan Ross has been courting her. Of course she’s caught in the lie but the more time she actually spends with the quiet man, the more she falls for him.
Duncan Ross has scars and memories that keep him self isolated. He was sold as a young child and kept as a slave for more than ten years, beaten continuously, starved and eventually thrown overboard to die. He doesn’t understand why Beatrice won’t leave him alone or what she wants from him. He just wants to be left alone.

Duncan’s past is simply heartbreaking. Beatrice allows him to see a bit of light in his dark existence. Their courtship, reluctant on his part, is not a smooth road and almost ends before finally realized. There were tears and understandable fear before the ultimate healing and love could be accepted.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook narrated by Mhairi Morrison who does the full series. The performance was wonderfully done and had me visualizing the Scottish countryside, the small room that Duncan claimed and the horrific tortures he survived. The romance of love and anguish and passion came through clearly along with the Scottish accents.
I did listen at my usual preferred speed of 1.5.… (mere)

A Flawed Scotsman by Hildie McQueen
Clan Ross series #4. Historical Scottish romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series. Prior characters are included but only in a peripheral way.
Ruari Ross is willing to marry for the sake of the clan, but has no interest in love. Esme Fraser is concerned with the safety of not only her clan but the townspeople and others under their protection. When an arrow hits Esme in the forest and she is left for dead, Ruari finds her. After applying his medical knowledge, he brings her back to the castle to recover. Their connection to each other grows.

Esme is often told the castle security or towns people are not her concern and to leave the matters to her father. Fortunately she’s smarter than that as she not only gets involved, but falls in love in the process. There is a reluctance as Ruari needs to realign his past and then fight the potential war that the enemy brings to the gate. Esme getting caught by the enemy is not the best move on her part!
An inviting conflict of clans and agreement of merger, for more than political reasons. ❤️… (mere)

Left to raise his infant son alone, a hardened Hank Cole is determined to make the best of it while prospering his ranch, but when a beautiful woman literally lands on his doorstep, he is helpless against the attraction between them.

Elizabeth Cole is too outspoken for gentle society, but she may be the perfect match for a tough Montana cowboy.

A story of two very different people who belong together, proof that sometimes fate can have a sense of humour when it comes to love

This is classed as 0.5 in the Shades of Blue Series, which gives some indication that this is a novella, rather than a full length book.

The story starts with Hank having to look after his 6 month baby son, after finding this Ashley's mother hasnt returned overnight. He knows that she's walked out and will probably never return, so he has to find a way of looking after the baby whilst maintaining his Montana farm.

He comes to an arrangement with one of the older women in the local town, who stays during the week.

Meanwhile Elizabeth is a society lady, being courted by a man she doesnt really like, and living with her parents who clearly dont love each other. However, a fire in the house brings Elizabeth the opportunity to change her life, and goes to visit her aunt....who is the babysitter for Hank. It's quite clear from early on that this is a setup to get Hank and Elizabeth to get together and the only people who dont realise this are Hank and Elizabeth!

The attraction is mutual, the romance is chaste enough. This is a novella, so the secondary characters are lightly developed, there isnt any extraneous and unnecessary detail, and is a quick and easy read.

The author's website can be found here : http://www.hildiemcqueen.com

… (mere)

Left to raise his infant son alone, a hardened Hank Cole is determined to make the best of it while prospering his ranch, but when a beautiful woman literally lands on his doorstep, he is helpless against the attraction between them.

Elizabeth Cole is too outspoken for gentle society, but she may be the perfect match for a tough Montana cowboy.

A story of two very different people who belong together, proof that sometimes fate can have a sense of humour when it comes to love

This is classed as 0.5 in the Shades of Blue Series, which gives some indication that this is a novella, rather than a full length book.

The story starts with Hank having to look after his 6 month baby son, after finding this Ashley's mother hasnt returned overnight. He knows that she's walked out and will probably never return, so he has to find a way of looking after the baby whilst maintaining his Montana farm.

He comes to an arrangement with one of the older women in the local town, who stays during the week.

Meanwhile Elizabeth is a society lady, being courted by a man she doesnt really like, and living with her parents who clearly dont love each other. However, a fire in the house brings Elizabeth the opportunity to change her life, and goes to visit her aunt....who is the babysitter for Hank. It's quite clear from early on that this is a setup to get Hank and Elizabeth to get together and the only people who dont realise this are Hank and Elizabeth!

The attraction is mutual, the romance is chaste enough. This is a novella, so the secondary characters are lightly developed, there isnt any extraneous and unnecessary detail, and is a quick and easy read.

The author's website can be found here : http://www.hildiemcqueen.com

… (mere)