The best holiday historical romances set in the Highlands

Why am I passionate about this?

Historical romance author Emmanuelle lives on the bonny banks of Loch Fyne with her husband and beloved haggis pudding Archie McFloof—connoisseur of bacon treats and squeaky toys. She’ll never tire of dreaming up brooding, kilted heroes. 


I wrote...

Highland Christmas

By Emmanuelle de Maupassant,

Book cover of Highland Christmas

What is my book about?

A 1920s romantic romp, with a cozy mystery to solve! As the snow falls deep, a malevolent force stalks ancient Castle Kintochlochie. Someone, or something, is determined to derail Lady Ophelia's love affair with estate manager Hamish, so ruggedly handsome yet wildly unsuitable. 

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Scot Under the Mistletoe

Emmanuelle de Maupassant Why did I love this book?

No one writes kilted comedy like Caroline Lee, and this title may be her funniest yet. In this medieval festive romance, our heroine is determined to take her happiness into her own hands, convincing the man of her dreams that they truly are the perfect match. The fact that she embroiders bloody battle scenes rather than the usual floral compositions, and is working on a compilation of kama-sutra-style coital positions is the icing on the cake of this wonderful romp.  

By Caroline Lee,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Scot Under the Mistletoe as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A year ago, Nessa Oliphant FINALLY landed the man of her dreams in bed…but when her father, the laird, betrothed her to the first Henry, her lover failed to fight for her. Brohn, the housekeeper’s son, might be in command of the Oliphant troops, but knows his duty to the clan is to step aside and let Nessa make a strong betrothal contract. But after SEVEN failed betrothals—all to Henrys—Nessa is done with fiddling around. It’s going to take the legend of the Ghostly Drummer of Oliphant Castle, some random sprigs of mistletoe, and plenty of Yuletide magic to fix…


Book cover of The Highlander’s Christmas Countess

Emmanuelle de Maupassant Why did I love this book?

I have a soft spot for ‘in disguise’ stories. Here, our heroine is on the run from the dastardly stepbrother who’s after her money. Being a genius with horses, she conceals her gender and finds work as a stablehand. However, taking refuge during a snowstorm, her secret is soon revealed—to the dashing heir of Cannich no less! A rushed marriage follows, but will our heroine ever be safe from her wicked stepbrother?

By Anna Campbell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Highlander’s Christmas Countess as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The new stableboy has a secret!

Kit Laing is a genius with Glen Lyon’s horses and a favorite with his employer’s family, but he isn’t all he seems. In fact, the shy stablehand isn’t a he at all. Kit is actually Christabel Urquhart, Countess of Appin, on the run from a greedy, violent stepbrother with designs on her fortune.

And the laird’s handsome nephew has worked out just what it is.

Quentin MacNab, the dashing heir to Cannich, has had his suspicions about the new stable lad from the first. Kit is far too pretty to be a boy –…


Book cover of Highlander's Christmas

Emmanuelle de Maupassant Why did I love this book?

A heart-tugger ‘secret baby’ medieval romance, featuring a ruthless mercenary assassin and another heroine disguising herself, this time as a widow to protect her illegitimate daughter. When the brooding Scot appears—with the goal of murdering her father no less—our heroine can no longer hide. There’s a whole lot of dark alpha warrior deliciousness going on, and chemistry that had me cheering for a happy ending. 

By Mariah Stone,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Highlander's Christmas as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

He’s a Highland assassin. She’s the noblewoman he abandoned nine years ago. Can forgiveness give them a second chance at love this Christmas?

The Scottish Highlands, 1308. Infamous mercenary Hamish Dunn betrayed a powerful clan and is now pursued by killers almost as ruthless as himself. Deep in the snowy wilderness, a Highland faerie convinces Hamish to travel to the Border Lands for one last job.

Deidre Maxwell has a dangerous secret. She’s not the widow she claims but a disowned noblewoman with an illegitimate daughter. After being cast aside by Hamish, the man she loved, she’ll never let herself…


Book cover of Highland Yule: A MacLomain and MacLauchlin Hogmanay Tale

Emmanuelle de Maupassant Why did I love this book?

Grab your hanky for this bittersweet medieval romance featuring a heroine loved by two noble brothers. When her betrothed dies, Rona follows a trail of scrolls he left behind, designed to bring her together with the brother who was a rival for her affection. Colmac put aside his own feelings to allow his sibling to find happiness, but his deceased brother’s actions allow him a second chance at love. A story of redemption and forgiveness with all the feels. 

By Sky Purington,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Highland Yule as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A bittersweet steamy medieval Scottish romance about second chances...
 
Following a trail of mysterious letters left by her deceased betrothed, Rona joins his brother on an emotional yuletide journey to uncover the truth. Can they reach a place of forgiveness and reignite their long lost love? Or are some wounds too deep to ever heal?
 
"Sky Purington is at her best in this tale of love. I was hooked and drawn into this book the minute I started reading it." ~Goodreads
 
PLEASE NOTE: Originally released in Once Upon a Christmas Wedding boxset, Highland Yule is a historical romance set in…


Book cover of A Yuletide Kiss: A Warrior Maids of Rivenloch Short Story

Emmanuelle de Maupassant Why did I love this book?

All sorts of fun tropes are rolled into this fabulously fast-paced ‘runaway bride’ Yuletide novelette, featuring another heroine hiding her identity. Escaping an arranged marriage, it so happens that the very man our girl falls for while in disguise is the groom scheduled to walk her down the aisle. And, Brude the Brutal is a virgin. Happy sigh! 

By Glynnis Campbell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Yuletide Kiss as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Kimbery from "The Shipwreck" gets her own story!

From USA Today bestselling author Glynnis Campbell...A half-Viking shieldmaiden has until Yuletide to choose a bridegroom…or one will be chosen for her.

Half-Viking shieldmaiden Kimbery of Rivenloch has until Yuletide to choose a bridegroom…or one will be chosen for her. But when the barbarian Brude the Brutal travels to claim his betrothed, he finds himself bewitched instead by a runaway bride.

A YULETIDE KISS
A Warrior Maids of Rivenloch short story
Damsels in shining armor...riding to the rescue! Deirdre, Helena, and Miriel, three kick-arse Scots wenches known as The Warrior Maids of…


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Lap Baby

By Amy Q. Barker,

Book cover of Lap Baby

Amy Q. Barker Author Of Lap Baby

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Avid reader Nature lover Park ranger wanna be Best Nana ever

Amy's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

A story you'll never forget about survival, forgiveness, healing, and love.

Twenty years ago. A plane crash. Three women survivors are inexorably connected by fate, destiny, and a cause. 

Julie Geiger, a flight attendant, told five sets of parents to place their babies on the floor of the plane when it was going down. Now, she must live with the consequences. Will changing the emergency rules bring her healing and forgiveness? And where does love fit into her life now?

Marie Stanley lost her baby boy on that flight. And she knows exactly who to blame. Julie. The problem is that vindictiveness festers. And eats into your soul. How will Marie learn to move past her hate and save her marriage in the process?

Paige Montgomery, the lap baby who survived the flight, would love to forget it ever happened. After all, she’s happy. And she’s on the cusp of a new relationship. How will she learn to forge her own path, one that integrates all the elements of her past, including the crash, the loss of her parents, and her subsequent adoption?

Lap Baby

By Amy Q. Barker,

What is this book about?

Twenty years ago. A plane crash. Three women survivors inexorably connected by fate, destiny, and a cause.

Did you know that lap babies (children under the age of two) are instructed to be placed on the floor of a plane during an emergency? Sounds crazy, but it’s true.

Julie Geiger, a flight attendant, told five sets of parents to do just that. Now she must live with the consequences. Will changing the rules bring her healing and forgiveness? And where does love fit into her life now?

Marie Stanley lost her baby boy on that flight. And she knows exactly…


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