Paula Quinn - A Highlander Never Surrenders

A HIGHLANDER NEVER SURRENDERS

Paula Quinn

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Copyright 2008 by Paula Quinn

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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First eBook Edition: December 2008

ISBN: 978-0-446-55259-2

Contents

The longer I know you, Claire said in a voice she reserved for her most scathing sarcasm, the more Im convinced that your mouth is not the deadliest weapon in your arsenal against women.

Graham shrugged his powerful shoulders, a lazy ripple of muscle. There are many women who would disagree with that assessment.

Damn him to Hades, but he was probably correct. Every blasted time she looked at him she remembered the way hed kissed her, so rough and so... acutely arousing. Such an uninvited kiss should have enraged her, but instead she had near melted all over him.

Yer mouth, on the other hand, he said with an irrepressible smile, is deadly indeed.

Praise for the novels of

PAULA QUINN

LAIRD OF THE MIST

The romance is special, the characters are terrific, and there is plenty of action and suspense. Paula Quinn outdoes herself this time. Bravo!

RomanceReviewsMag.com

Paula Quinn once again proves her skill with words.

NovelTalk.com

The Highlands of Scotland come alive in Laird of the Mist ... Paula Quinn knows exactly how to capture the imagination of her readers by giving them memorable characters and enthralling plots.

SingleTitles.com

LORD OF SEDUCTION

Quinn is an author to watch.

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

4 Stars! Readers will fly through the pages and wiggle in their seats... Feast on this medieval banquet!

Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine

Passion, peril, and plenty of medieval political intrigue... expertly crafted historical romance.

Booklist

Exciting... A delightful tale.

Midwest Book Review

Excellent writing and tantalizing romance.

RomRevToday.com

This novel captures the era, on both sides of the conflict, with masterful skill... a fine romance, plenty of action.

ARomanceReview.com

Not to be missed. Paula Quinn crafts a story in which the details combine to make you feel as if you are there with her characters. I sighed over the gentleness of the hero and the charm of the heroine.

Bookloons.com

Bold and passionate medieval romance.

FreshFiction.com

This book has it all... Should find its way to your keeper shelf!... The first novel I have read by Paula Quinn, and I can assure you it will not be my last.

RomanceReaderAtHeart.com

CASTLE KEEPER! ( The Mystic Castle s highest honor)... [With] a wild and enigmatic hero, sure to set pulses racing... Readers will be enchanted with Lord of Seduction .tic.

TheMysticCastle.com

LORD OF TEMPTATION

Features a sinfully sexy hero who meets his match in a strong-willed heroine... An excellent choice for readers who like powerful,passion-rich medieval romances.

Booklist

Will enchant and entertain... Passion, danger, treachery, and heartbreak fill the pages of this splendid novel... dont miss Lord of Temptation .

RomRevToday.com

Quinns lively romance... offers two spirited protagonists as well as engaging minor characters... The sharp repartee and dramatic finale make this a pleasant read.

Publishers Weekly

Quinn wins readers hearts with a light touch, even as she invokes strong themes of slavery, freedom, and the need for independence.

Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine

A truly magnificent tale... Dante is a perfect hero and lover and Gianelle is specialperfect for each other. The passion is fantasticunbeatable!

RomanceReviewsMag.com

LORD OF DESIRE

4 Stars!... fast-paced and brimming with biting, sexy repartee, and a sensual cat-and-mouse game.

Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine

Gloriously passionate... boldly sensual... Quinn deftly enhances her debut with just enough historical details to give a vivid sense of time and place.

Booklist

Fans of medieval romances will enjoy spending a few warm summer evenings with this one.

RomanceReadersConnection.com

A page-turning experience from beginning to end... Highly recommended... Lord of Desire s strength resides in Ms. Quinns talent for characterization and storytelling... [she] does a fabulous job of creating characters to care about, laugh with, and shed a tear or two for.

RomRevToday.com

A fine historical romance.

Midwest Book Review

An emotional and compelling story that brings together a strong but wounded hero and spirited and determined heroine. The characters quickly immerse the reader into their lives.

RomanceJunkies.com

A novel worthy of movie rights... If you love a good romance, with a nod toward Ivanhoe , then Lord of Desire will be a fine addition to your collection. If you have never tried a medieval romance, it would be a good choice, because it is one of the best in recent years.

ARomanceReview.com

A LSO BY P AULA Q UINN

Lord of Desire

Lord of Temptation

Lord of Seduction

Laird of the Mist

Daddy...

I will love you always.

A special thank you to the wonderful people of Metropolitan Jewish Hospice for all the special, loving care they gave to my dad. It made a difference.

To Chris Capaldi for helping me bring Graham alive, and to Teresa Fritschi of Thistle & Broom for all the great pictures.

S COTLAND

A UTUMN 1659

I t has all gone terribly wrong. What I feared most has come to pass.

The stench of cheap wine and ale filled the tavern like a dense fog and settled onto the table where Graham Grant, first in command of the mighty clan MacGregor, sat watching his friend, the eleventh Earl of Argyll, drain his fourth cup of ale.

This business with Connor Stuart weighs heavily on ye.

Robert slapped his cup on the table and raised his heavy-lidded gaze to him. Why do you say that?

Yere getting drunk, and ye brood more than I can stand of late.

Ive only had four cups, Robert countered with a scowl. Ive seen you drink more than twice that amount.

The mocking curl of Grahams half smile needed no explanation, but Graham gave one anyway. Im a Highlander, he said and raised his cup to his mouth.

I can drink as much as any of you. Robert swung around on his chair, teetered, caught himself, and tried to catch the attention of a swarthy serving wench.

He succeeded, but the deep-cleavaged lashaiss eyes swept past his and settled on Grahams. Graham looked her over from foot to crown, thinking what a pity it was to have to send her away, but the last thing his friend needed was more ale. A subtle shake of his head was all it took for her to move on, pretending not to have seen Robert motioning for her.

Damnation, Robert swore, then waved to another wench.

Rob.

What?

Look at me, Graham said seriously, and Robert obeyed. Not being able to find Stuart is naught to be ashamed of. The mans as elusive as Callum. Find yerself a wench fer the night and ferget yer duty.