Heroes Wearing Kilts

There is just something about a Scottish hero that captures the imagination. Whether it is the kilt-wearing man on the cover or the promise of a charming alpha male taking charge that peaks your interest, the kilt wearing lead is one always worth exploring. Here are some of my favorite books heroes decked of in kilts.

Men In Kilts by Katie MacAlister is one of my favorite kilt laden romances, and not just because I love MacAlister's sense of humor. This contemporary romance is filled with that humor and chuckle worthy moment, while still having some steamy moments. Mystery author Kathie Williams is attending a writer's conference in England when she meets and falls head-over-heels for Scotsman Ian MacLaren, even though she firmly denies the existence of love at first sight. She steps out of her comfort zone and travels with hunky Ian to his sheep farm in Scotland to spend the rest of her vacation with him, ignoring the rest of the conference. Ian wants her to stick around for the long term; but neighbors, family, the sheep business, and a conniving ex are all that stand in their way.

Highland Fling by Katie Fforde is a zany and enjoyable read. Virtual assistant and professional organizer Genevieve, or Jenny, Porter travels to Scotland to discover why a textile mill is losing money. In her efforts she finds her self going far beyond the call of duty; taking on tasks like cooking, babysitting and rekindling an old flame. Before long, Jenny is overly fond of the mill, the Highlands and one abrasive but handsome l banker who is trying to foreclose on the property. Highland Fling is a quick read, but full of quirky characters and wit, which make it a perfect rainy day read.

Charming the Highlander by Janet Chapman is part of the Highlanders in America series. The premise of the series is that a modern day wizard brings a group of thirteenth-century Highlanders forward through time in order to have them met their true loves. Greylen MacKeage and his destiny meet when they are thrown together in a plane crash. The woman in question, Grace Sutter, is a brilliant scientist caring for her infant niece after her sister's recent death. Grace and Grey must work together to survive the bitter cold. Can these stubborn people find away to come together, bend to their hearts desire and meet in the middle?

Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning is the first novel in her Highlander series. Adrienne de Simone is a modern, independent woman in Seattle who is more than a little bitter from her experiences with her ex-husband. A vengeful fairy transports Adrienne to sixteenth century Scotland where she is forced to wed the legendary warrior Hawk, who is destined to love a woman who cannot love him in return. Fairy plots, mistrust and hurtful pasts challenge the two protagonists who lack no passion, only the ability to trust in each other.

A Dance Through Time by Lynn Kurland is a fun and entertaining read that uses time travel to bring the protagonists together. When author Elizabeth Smith creates the perfect man in her mind, she placed him in historical Scotland. The idea that he might be real never occurred to her, neither did the idea that falling asleep on a bench in Central Park would transport her back in time. James McLeod is a Scottish laird whose voice called Elizabeth to his time. However, no one was more surprise than he was when she appeared. Women are forbidden from his keep, and he does not react well at her initial appearance. The story is sweet and hard to put down; I highly recommend it to all fans of time travel romance. Related stories can be enjoyed in the MacLeod Family series.

Claiming the Highlander by Kinley MacGregor begins where many Highland romance stories start, with a clan feud. Maggie is a determined and intelligent woman that wants the feuds to end. Braden MacAlister is a proud man that does not like his women outspoken, a charming rogue that never seems to hear the word no. Maggie has mobilized the women to refuse their men everything until the fighting ends. Braden has been sent to fix the situation. While the pair have known each other all their lives, it is only when the situation comes to a head that he sees Maggie as more than his friend's sister. This is the second book in the MacAllisters series.

Come the Morning by Shannon Drake is an action packed story set amid warring factions in twelfth century Scotland. Thirteen year-old Waryk de Graham displays great courage in battle, garnering the attention of the Scottish king. Ten years later, danger from the Vikings and the Normans is high again in Scotland. The King forces a marriage between Waryk and the Lady Mellyora MacAdin to secure peace. Mellyora argues against the marriage because she loves someone else, while Waryk protests the marriage because he has a different bride in mind. They are forced to wed despite their protests, but slowly come to love each other. This is the first book in Drake's Graham series.

Kilgannon by Kathleen Givens is a seventeenth century romance of clashing cultures. Englishwoman Mary Lowell quickly falls in love with Highland chieftain Alex MacGannon. Despite a troubled courtship, Mary weds Alex and is whisked away to his Highland home. Before the pair can fully adjust to marriage, they find themselves on opposing sides during a time of war and betrayal. There is great attention to detail, with accurate historical references, Kilgannon is a great choice for readers that love the history as well as a great story. However, be prepared to read the sequel, The Wild Rose of Kilgannon, for the final resolution to the story.

The Magnificent Rogue by Iris Johansen is another great novel for readers that want some real historical flavor with their romance. Kathryn Kentyre is thought to be the illegitimate daughter of Mary, Queen of Scots. The first sixteen years of Kathryn's life has not been easy, and the future seems to be challenging as well. With Mary's death looming, Elizabeth forces the prisoner Robert MacDarren to marrying young Kathryn. Part of the arrangement includes removing her to Scotland so that Kathryn cannot get in the way of the throne. While the marriage begins as a necessity, it grows into much more as Kathryn works to woo her husband into loving her. The suspense and intrigue will grip you while passion, and a few steamy scenes, will keep you warm as you read.

Highlander Unbound by Julia London begins the Lockhart Family Trilogy. Captain Liam Lockhart traveling to London to find an ugly but valuable statue that was misappropriated by English cousins four hundred years before in order to save his family's estate. There he meets his landlord's daughter Ellen Farnsworth and her imaginative daughter Natalie. They quickly fall in love, but Ellen betrays Liam by stealing the statue for her own purposes. Liam is soon on a wild chase to find Ellen and the statue, but will soon have to decide what is most important. Highlander Unbound is a quick read with great characters and humor.