Alone in the world following the tragic death of her parents, lovely Leona Grenville travels to Scotland to stay with the Duke of Ardness, the widowed husband of her late mother's closest friend. Penniless and grief-stricken, Leona seeks comfort and security, which she hopes the Duke can offer. Exhilarated by the wild beauty of the moors, Leona spirits rise and she begins to believe that in the Highlands she can find happiness and peace again. But the weather swiftly deteriorates and amidst the biting wind and icy rain her coach is involved in an accident. Terrified by the howling storm and stumbling in the darkness she is rescued by Lord Strathcairn, who offers shelter at nearby Cairn Castle for the night. Believing she has found a kindred spirit in her new friend, Leona is devastated by his cold demeanor once he discovers that her true destination is his nearest neighbour, the Duke. Refusing to discuss his change of heart, Lord Strathcairn bids her farewell and arranges for her to leave his home at the earliest possible moment. Crossing the boundary into the Duke's estate she sees the brutal eviction of some crofters and arrives at Ardness Castle angry and determined to confront her new protector. But immediately she is confused. How can the violence she witnessed have been done with the knowledge of the kindly man waiting to greet her? As the Duke lavishes money and attention on his guest, Leona begins to suspect that dark secrets are harboured within the bleak walls of Ardness and wishes she had never left the safety of Cairn Castle. Remembering Lord Strathcairn's whispered promise to always help her, Leona knows that there is only one thing left to do - she must find a way to reach him and escape Ardness Castle and the sinister Duke for ever.

The eleventh cozy mystery featuring everyone’s favorite phantom-detective. Watch out for Nancy Atherton's latest, Aunt Dimity and the King's Ransom, coming in July 2018 from Viking! Nancy Atherton ’s Aunt Dimity novels have enchanted thousands of readers, and this new addition to the series is likely to broaden the spell. A series of death threats sends Lori Shepard to a remote island off the Scottish coast and to a fabulous castle restored by an eccentric friend of her husband’s. But she finds herself drawn into an elaborate whodunit that may involve smuggling—or worse. Why has a human skull washed up on the beach? Is a desolate island really the best place to hide from a murderer? As Lori draws once more on Aunt Dimity’s supernatural aid, Atherton whips equal measures of whimsy and suspense into an irresistible confection.

When eccentric Rowena Carstairs leaves her sizable estate to an illegitimate grandson who was given up for adoption at birth, Savannah attorney Meredith Hunter is obliged to track him down. Her search takes her to the wilds of Scotland, where she is shocked to discover that the man is none other than infamous corporate raider Grant Gallagher. Despite her reluctance to deal with such a ruthless man, Meredith knows she has no choice but to fulfill her client's wishes. Although he's indifferent to the inheritance, Grant is increasingly curious about the family he never knew he had and his grandmother's motives. And about Meredith, who's not the kind of woman he ever imagined he'd be attracted to.

A bold Scottish beauty meets her match in this breathtaking Regency romance from the USA Today–bestselling author of Scarlet Angel. Disguised as a boy, Caitlin rides out with the rebels to attack the English laird who dares to call himself chief of her beloved clan. But the bronzed, golden-haired hero of Waterloo is more of a man than the tempestuous Scottish innocent has bargained for. Enflamed by Caitlin’s stormy beauty, wild spirit, and wicked tongue, Lord Randal swears to tame her—in and out of his bed. Now, as the dark secrets of the past fan the embers of an ancient blood feud to raging fury, Caitlin finds herself trapped in wedlock, her heart held captive by this bold and virile invader whose searing kisses set her soul aflame with an unexpected and unconquerable love. Together, they dare danger and destiny for an unforgettable passion. “A joy to read!” —RT Book Reviews “I consider Elizabeth Thornton a major find.” —Mary Balogh, New York Times–bestselling author of Someone to Wed

A lesson in love is experienced by a young Canadian girl during the summer following graduation from a private school.