My Notorious Highlander is now available in audio book! Dave Gillies is the narrator. He also narrated My Brave Highlander and My Daring Highlander. He has a great and authentic Scottish accent (because he's Scottish) and he is very talented with expressing emotion in his voice. His sound and narration style is a perfect fit for my books. Here is a 5 minute sample...
Chief Torrin MacLeod vows to possess and wed the spirited lady who stole his heart the previous winter. But Lady Jessie MacKay wants naught to do with the dangerous warrior, no matter how devilishly handsome and charming he is. When Torrin arrives unexpectedly at Jessie's home, along with Gregor MacBain, a man Jessie was formerly handfasted to, she is thrown off-kilter. She never wanted to see either man again, but now they are vying for her hand. Torrin promises to protect her from the devious MacBain, but how can she trust Torrin when she has witnessed how lethal he is?
The more time Torrin spends with the strong and independent Jessie, the more determined he is to win her heart. Once she allows him a kiss, he feels her passion flame as hot as his own. After she knows Torrin better, Jessie finds herself falling for the fearsome Highlander. But the odds are stacked against them. The sinister MacBain is bent on kidnapping Jessie, making her his bride and killing Torrin, while Jessie's conniving younger brother, Haldane, is determined to use Jessie to take over the castle in his older brother's absence. Jessie fears she can never be with the man she loves, while Torrin will do everything in his power to ensure they are together forever. In his heart, she is the only lady for him. The audiobook is available at Audible, Amazon and iTunes. It is only $1.99 at Amazon and Audible if you have purchased the Kindle version! A great deal!
Thank you for checking it out! :)
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com
Showing posts with label My Notorious Highlander. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Notorious Highlander. Show all posts
My Notorious Highlander Audio Book!
The USA Today bestselling author of award-winning Scottish historical romance. Her favorite pastime is exploring Scotland, and taking photos along the way. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is crafting another Scottish story. Please visit her website at www.vondasinclair.com
Ardvreck Castle
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| Ardvreck Castle |
Ardvreck Castle is a ruin which sits on a promontory in Loch Assynt,
Sutherland, Scotland. This is one of the most hauntingly beautiful areas
of Scotland.
| Ardvreck Castle is the inspiration for the castle I named Munrick in my last three books. In my novels, Torrin MacLeod is the chief who lives here and he's the hero of My Notorious Highlander. The last portion of the book takes place here. |
A sign at Ardvreck Castle reads: "Built by Angus Mor
III in the latter half of the 15th century, Ardvreck Castle began as
a simple rectangular block, three or four storeys in height. Almost a century
later, Donald Ban IX enhanced the castle's accommodation by adding the tower
and, in the fashion of the time, the vaulted cellars and vault over the great
hall on the first floor."
"The stone wall that cuts off the promontory follows
the line of an earlier rampart, augmenting the castle's naturally defensive
position. Even after Donald Ban's improvements, Ardvreck was still small,
requiring other buildings around it to house kitchens, servant's quarters and
stables. However, a place was found for Ardvreck's most famous, although
unwilling, occupant, James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, imprisoned here in 1650
after his defeat at the Battle of Carbisdale."
The information from the sign continues: "Throughout its life, Ardvreck was the scene of much
violence, with murders, executions, and sieges by both traditional enemies and
quarrelsome branches of the MacLeod family. In 1672, a 14-day siege by the
MacKenzies of Wester Ross marked the end of MacLeod ownership of Assynt. Nature
carried out the final act of violence on the castle in 1795 when it was struck
by lightning and largely destroyed.
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| View of Loch Assynt |
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| Ardvreck Castle |
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| What the castle may have looked like in its prime. |
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| Click to enlarge |
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My Notorious Highlander: Chief Torrin MacLeod vows to possess and wed the
spirited lady who stole his heart the previous winter. But Lady Jessie MacKay
wants naught to do with the dangerous warrior, no matter how devilishly
handsome and charming he is. When Torrin arrives unexpectedly at Jessie's home,
along with Gregor MacBain, a man Jessie was formerly handfasted to, she is
thrown off-kilter. She never wanted to see either man again, but now they are
vying for her hand. Torrin promises to protect her from the devious MacBain,
but how can she trust Torrin when she has witnessed how lethal he is?
The more time Torrin spends with the strong and
independent Jessie, the more determined he is to win her heart. Once she allows
him a kiss, he feels her passion flame as hot as his own. After she knows
Torrin better, Jessie finds herself falling for the fearsome Highlander. But
the odds are stacked against them. The sinister MacBain is bent on kidnapping
Jessie, making her his bride and killing Torrin, while Jessie's conniving
younger brother, Haldane, is determined to use Jessie to take over the castle
in his older brother's absence. Jessie fears she can never be with the man she
loves, while Torrin will do everything in his power to ensure they are together
forever. In his heart, she is the only lady for him.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Diesel | Apple/
Thanks!
Vonda
The USA Today bestselling author of award-winning Scottish historical romance. Her favorite pastime is exploring Scotland, and taking photos along the way. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is crafting another Scottish story. Please visit her website at www.vondasinclair.com
Balnakeil Bay, Scotland
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| Balnakeil Bay. Click photo to enlarge. Those are black rocks in the foreground. |
After checking into the B&B we drove over to Balnakeil Bay at sunset. It was a cold, windy day in May, but the sunset was so beautiful. You will see it here on my cover, too, in the background.
 |
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| Old Watermill near the beach |
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| Balnakeil House and Balnakeil Church ruin |
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| A nearby resident |
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| Bride and groom with photographers. Balnakeil Church in the background. |
To get to Balnakeil Bay, take the single track road from the
town of Durness. It's a little over a mile.
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| Balnakeil House above a field of yellow flowers |
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| Balnakeil Beach in July. |
One of the reasons I wanted to check out Balnakeil Bay was
that I have several scenes set here in my latest book, My Notorious Highlander.
Most of My Brave Highlander is set here also, but in winter.
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| Massive sand dunes behind the beach |
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| A trail between the dunes |
Thank you for visiting Balnakeil Bay with me!
I received a fantastic review from My Book Addiction Reviews!
"If you enjoy fast paced, action packed Highland adventure than “My Notorious Highlander” is definitely the read for you. The characters are engaging, charismatic, and fierce. The storyline is intriguing, dangerous and will have you turning pages faster than you can say Highlander.... A deliciously sexy story of love,family, revenge, and forgiveness. For action, thrills, and passion pick up “My Notorious Highlander”. I loved it! Well done, indeed!" AprilR RATING: 4.5 HEAT RATING: HOT
The more time Torrin spends with the strong and independent Jessie, the more determined he is to win her heart. Once she allows him a kiss, he feels her passion flame as hot as his own. After she knows Torrin better, Jessie finds herself falling for the fearsome Highlander. But the odds are stacked against them. The sinister MacBain is bent on kidnapping Jessie, making her his bride and killing Torrin, while Jessie's conniving younger brother, Haldane, is determined to use Jessie to take over the castle in his older brother's absence. Jessie fears she can never be with the man she loves, while Torrin will do everything in his power to ensure they are together forever. In his heart, she is the only lady for him.
Excerpt: Here is a scene between Torrin and Jessie which takes place on Balnakeil Beach
"I could go back
and get my bow and a few arrows, then we could walk along the beach that way."
He pointed toward the right. "And I could teach you archery. If I don't
behave myself, you can shoot me or use one of your hidden blades on me."
She sent a confused
frown his way. "Why are you so determined to teach me how to shoot a
bow?"
He shrugged. "I
think you would be good at it. You're tall; you have long arms. You remind me
of a warrior princess."
She gave him a
narrow-eyed look as if he were daft. "Living in a make-believe world, are
we, MacLeod?"
He smirked. When it
came to her, he likely did, but he couldn't stop himself. "Well, you're
always threatening me with those hidden knives you carry on your person at all
times. I would truly love to see if you ken how to use them like a warrior."
Lifting an auburn brow,
she sent him a challenging look. "You don't believe I can use them?"
"I have no
inkling. I've never seen you in action. By the time I came upon you and
MacBain, you were already trussed up like a—" He clamped his lips closed.
"Like a what? A
boar?"
"Nay, like a tall,
elegant stag."
She snorted and leapt
up. "Come. I'll show you. We'll go to the end of the beach, near the
cliffs where your guards upon the ramparts cannot help you."
He laughed.
"Saints! You must indeed be deadly."
"I've hurt a few
men but never killed anyone."
"'Tis a great
comfort to me," he said in a dry tone and stood, smiling at her cocky
attitude. "I'm up for the challenge, m'lady. But surely we aren't going to
fight with sharpened blades. I don't wish to hurt you either."
She chuckled and headed
along the beach.
Using long, quick
strides, he caught up with her. "Are you certain you don't wish me to go
back for the bow and arrows?"
"Thinking you'll
need an extra weapon to defeat me?" she asked.
"Ha. Not
likely."
She gave a confident
smile, and he was glad he'd been able to turn her mood from gloomy to merry. He
hoped this would be only a wrestling match, where she ended up pinning him to
the ground—he'd let her do that. Aye, indeed. His body went on high alert, for
he'd long imagined what her slight weight might feel like upon him. Like a
dream come true.
"We'll have to use
sticks instead of real knives," he said, trying to focus on the issue at
hand and not his growing arousal.
"You fear
me?"
"Aye, indeed,"
he said in a wry tone.
She laughed.
He'd love to know where
on her body she had the rest of those hidden knives secured. He wanted to take
them off her naked body, one by one. How delicious that would be.
"I often see red
deer coming from that direction." She pointed toward the grassy sand dunes
to their right.
Unexpectedly, Torrin
tripped over something, and someone shoved him from the back at the same time.
His face plowed into the sand. "What the hell?" The words blasted
from his mouth. Spitting out the salty sand, he quickly rolled to his back and
grabbed the dirk from the scabbard on his belt. He froze when he didn't see a
band of attacking outlaws. Only Jessie stood above him, grinning like a
banshee. Of course, he'd known she was the only one near, but he couldn't believe
she'd gotten the best of him like that. Damned if she wasn't strong. His
warrior skills were slipping, or mayhap he'd simply been distracted with his
fantasies of stripping her naked.
"You tripped me!"
he accused.
"You mean, I
tricked you." Her smug smile was clear, even with the blinding sunlight
behind her.
He narrowed his eyes. "Proud
of yourself, are you?"
She shrugged, and he
pushed to his feet. He'd have to be more careful around her. She was more wily
than he'd anticipated. He glanced back at the castle, hoping Iain nor any of
his men had witnessed that. He'd never live it down.
"You don't fight
fair," he muttered.
"Most Highlanders
don't. We're too canny. Fighting fair will get you killed, you ken?"
He laughed, then faced
her with his arms down at his sides. "Are you ready to try it again, then,
lady warrior?"
"Nay. I prefer
surprise attacks." She backed away from him, moving further along the
beach.
He knew what he had to
do and 'twas naught more than she'd asked for, knocking him to the ground like
that. He ran toward her, his body hunched low.
She screamed and bolted
like a deer, flying over the sand. He quickened his pace, caught up to her and
grabbed her. With one arm wrapped around her waist, he lifted her off her feet.
Kicking and elbowing,
she fought him. He grasped her right hand so she wouldn't grab one of those
knives. He hoped she wouldn't stab him, given the opportunity, but he didn't
know for certain. She was a hellion… and he loved that about her.
She hooked her heel
behind his knee. Losing his balance, he dropped to the sand, taking most of the
impact with his shoulder and hip, but he didn't let go. Having captured both
her wrists in one hand, he pinned her to the ground, half on her side and half
on her stomach.
"Aha," he
said against her ear. "Now we're even."
"Don't be so sure,
MacLeod," she said through clenched teeth.
Something slammed
painfully into his arse. Glancing around, he saw she'd kicked him hard with her
bare heel.
He grabbed her ankle
and pinned it close to him with his leg, then he tickled her foot with his free
hand. She shrieked and squirmed about. With a sudden hard shove backward with
her whole body, she flipped him onto his back. He tightened his grip on her
wrists.
"Bastard!"
she growled like a she-wolf and tried to untangle herself from him.
He laughed but feared
she might get the best of him if he gave in to the amusement. He rolled her
beneath him again.
She giggled but tried
to scream at the same time. Squirming, she twisted and contorted her body,
trying to wrest herself free. All she accomplished was turning to face him a
bit more.
Her face was flushed
pink, her eyes a glaring flash of blue, while her lips were scrunched with
determination.
Damnation, how he
wanted to kiss her. But she might break his nose if he did. He chuckled, amazed
at how the thought of a violent woman aroused him. He had always thought he
wanted a sweet, biddable wife. Now he knew he wanted one who would knock him to
the ground unexpectedly.
"Admit defeat,
warrior woman."
"Never!" One
of her sharp elbows speared him in the stomach.
My Notorious Highlander Vonda Sinclair
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Diesel | Apple/iTunes |Print | Kobo
The USA Today bestselling author of award-winning Scottish historical romance. Her favorite pastime is exploring Scotland, and taking photos along the way. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is crafting another Scottish story. Please visit her website at www.vondasinclair.com
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