HIGHLANDER’S
HOPE-Historical Suspense
by Collette Cameron
“Highlander’s Hope is set in the post Napoleonic War
period. The plot revolves around a covert group of agents, the Diplomatic
Corps. Much like espionage today, spies and agents continued to function even
during peace times.
Heiress, Yvette Stapleton fled Boston MA after a
suspicious riding accident nearly kills her, and both her parents suddenly
become ill and die. She suspects her stepbrother, Edgar Marquardt, is
responsible for both events. What she doesn’t know is Edgar was a spy during
the English’s war with the French. He’s being hunted by Viscount Sethwick, Ewan
McTavish—also a Scottish laird—as well as other agents in the War Office’s
Diplomatic Corps. Someone besides Ewan knows Edgar’s dirty little secret and is
blackmailing him.
The Diplomatic Corps is covert group of bachelors
who are intimates with the War Secretary and the Prince Regent himself. Their
elite status permits them access to state secrets. One of their members continues
to use his prestigious position to conceal his treasonous actions during the
war. He is systematically eliminating every agent or informant who suspects his
identity. Ewan is determined to discover who the spymaster is.
The closer he
gets to exposing the traitor, the more agents meet a violent end.
Ewan unwittingly draws Yvette into deadly peril and
international intrigue when he agrees to escort her to Northumberland. He
danced with her once, two years ago, and she’s haunted him ever since. She’s
also the common thread between Marquardt, the Diplomatic Corps’ traitor, and a hired
Italian assassin, Pauline Borghese. When multiple attempts are made to abduct
Yvette, Ewan escapes with her to his ancestral home, Craiglocky, where he is
confident he can protect her.
During their flight, they are forced to seek shelter
in an unsavory inn. To prevent Yvette from being ravished, Ewan exploits
Scottish law, declaring her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony.
Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding.
She’s even more outraged when he refuses to allow her to leave Scotland. He
knows those pursuing them haven’t given up, and even at Craiglocky, danger
lurks.
It’s only by trusting on another they survive
betrayal and murder, and at last acknowledge their love for one another.
About Collette:
In
February 2011, Collette decided to sit down and write a Regency suspense
romance. She wrote HIGHLANDER'S HOPE, the first book in her Blue Rose Trilogy.
It releases from Soul Mate Publishing in May 2013. She has a BS in Liberal
Studies and a Master's in Teaching. She's been married for almost 30 years, has
3 amazing adult children, and 5 dachshunds. Her puppy, Ayva, sits on her lap
while she writes. Ayva also nibbles at and lies on the keyboard. Collette loves
a good joke, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. She
just finished THE VISCOUNT'S VOW, the second book in the series. It releases
from Soul Mate Publishing next year. You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes
naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels.
Excerpt:
“Sethwick?”
Rising, Yancy
walked to the multi-paned window dominating the wall behind his desk. “I wasn't
exaggerating when I said Prinny was livid. He raged, You couldn't see a snake beneath your nose, Mr. War Secretary!”
Sagging against
the sash, Yancy stared out the window. “That's
what gave me the idea.”
He spoke so
quietly, Ewan had to strain to hear.
Yancy swung his
jungle gaze around to meet Ewan’s. “I suspect we’ve hunted too far abroad for
our spymaster. This last death is too coincidental.” The urgent message his
stare conveyed caused Ewan to suck in a great gulp of air.
“Merde!”
Plopping into
chair opposite Yancy’s desk, Ewan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his
knees. He furrowed his forehead in worry. “You mean one of us?”
Yancy responded
with a curt inclination of his head.
Ewan struggled
to control his anger, though he was sure Yancy could see the outrage simmering
in his eyes. He could feel it strumming through his veins.
“The devil you
say? It stands to reason, though. That’s why our traitor has always been one
step ahead, how he’s continued to elude us. Why our agents and informants have
gone missing.” Ewan slammed his fist into his palm. “Because, the damn fools
trusted him.”
Yancy nodded his
head. “As have we all.” His lips twitched. “By-the-by, I do like how your
brogue becomes pronounced when you're agitated.”
He reclined in
his chair and closed his eyes.
Ewan rose and
began pacing the length of the War Office.
After several
moments, Yancy murmured tiredly, “Do stop pacing. You’re wearing a path in my
expensive Persian carpet.”
Ewan waved his
hand dismissively. His steps slowed. Facing his friend, he didn’t mince words.
“This,” he spread his hands, “stays between us. I don’t need to tell you how
dangerous this could be if you’re proven right. If ‘tis one of us, he has
access to the same information we do.
Hands fisted, Ewan closed his eyes. “We are
all targets. Even the Regent.”
Contacts:
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Award winning, Amazon best-selling author,
Collette Cameron, has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching.
Author of the Castle Brides Series
and Highland Heather Romancing a Scot
Series, Collette writes Regency and Scottish historicals and makes her home
in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and five mini dachshunds. Mother to
three and a self-proclaimed Cadbury Chocolate chocoholic, Collette loves a good
joke, inspirational quotes, flowers, trivia, and all things shabby chic. You'll
always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of
inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much
chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding
shoes to that list. 
