Valiant and Wise
Hearts of Caledonia Book 2
by Laura Strickland


Genre:
Scottish Historical Romance

Enchantment binds them. Will duty part them?

Wick map Radoc has lost his direction. Following the death of his parents
in a brutal raid, the Caledonian tribesman surrenders his place as
chief and flees to the Scottish countryside. Tracked through snow by
a band of enemy Gaels, he escapes by way of an unexpected
transformation and stumbles upon a neighboring tribe, the Caerena. Is
it chance, or has he been led there?
Verica, widow of the Caerena’s slain war chief, has lost her faith. Leading
her tribe by raw grit and sheer determination, she awaits a miracle.
When Wick arrives cloaked in enchantment, she hopes she’s found the
help she so desperately needs. Yet Wick doubts his own courage, and
Verica has sworn she will never love again.
Verica and Wick could restore one another’s belief… Together, will they
discover the true strength of a Caledonian heart?
She seemed to measure him from the top of his head down to his toes. She scowled. “Here, let me help you.”
Before he could draw breath to object, she stepped in and propped her shoulder beneath his.
The action brought her body up against him, her side pressed close, one of her arms wrapped around his body in a supportive gesture. He could feel the heat of her, could feel one small breast cleaved to his chest. Sensation slammed through him, stealing what breath he’d managed to hoard. Softness. Warmth. Strength.
How could all these things be present together, in one woman? She proved smaller, there beneath his arm, than she’d appeared, given her staunch stance—the top of her sleek black head barely reached his ear. And he could smell her—spice, old leather, and the intimate, arousing scent of woman.
Could she smell him, also? By the goddess, he must reek of filth and blood.
“All right?” she puffed. “Don’t go down, or you will surely tear that wound open.” Her fingers dug hard into his side, and he felt her body flex. He closed his eyes against a fierce wave of desire, and she looked at him doubtfully.
“Perhaps we should return you to the bed.”
Perhaps they should.

Excerpt Two:
“Me?” She jerked up her gaze and once more met his. Barely a whisper separated them, and Verica lost her breath at what she saw in his eyes.
Another smile quirked his lips and warmed his gaze. “Do you not need your wounds tended? Will you take off your clothing, also, for me?”
An improper suggestion, even under the circumstances. But the soft mischief in his voice lent no offense; instead Verica felt a stir of titillation.
With the native honesty that marked most of her utterances, she said, “I might.”
His fingers rose and cupped the back of her head. Gently—so very gently—he drew her to him. Their lips met.
A caress. A whisper. Verica had never been kissed this way, by lips so warm they wooed, coaxed, and persuaded. Tentatively he tasted her, decided he liked the flavor, and dove deeper.
Verica had a sudden flashback to one of Morirex’s kisses—swift and brutal, teeth clashing on teeth, the taste of blood. The pain of invasion accompanied by the overwhelming subjugation of her body. Hard-learned experience told her a man took what he wanted without asking.
But Wick map Radoc’s lips asked. They sought, thrilled, and comforted. His fingers slid lower and caressed her cheek, the calloused thumb stroking lightly like the touch of a butterfly, and Verica’s entire body melted.


Loyal and True
Hearts of Caledonia Book 1

In defiance of her father, Caledonian tribeswoman Barta leads a daring
raid against invading enemy warriors. But the fight goes badly, and
her beloved war hound, Loyal, is killed. Unable to imagine existing
without her dearest companion, she nevertheless must return home and
accept blame for her terrible blunder. 

For the first time in his life, Loyal is unable to rise and follow his mistress.
When he appeals to the Goddess for mercy, she grants him leave to
return on one condition: it must be in the form of a man. And only if
Barta recognizes him for who he truly is will he be permitted to stay. 

Loyal never suspects that, as a man, his
connection with Barta will deepen, becoming passionate enough to
transcend nearly any change. Will Barta recognize him before he’s
lost to her forever?




Multi-published and multi-award winning author Laura Strickland writes stories that
span several Romance genres. Her Scottish Romances have been compared
to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and her American Historicals echo the
work of authors such as Susan Wiggs and Kristin Hannah. Her
award-winning Buffalo Steampunk series has broken new ground both for
its setting and its portrayal of automaton characters pursuing their
rights. Currently, she is at home in Western New York and at work on
her next book.



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