Monday, August 2, 2021

The Highlander's Irish Bride Excerpt

 

Meet the most respectable member of the Kendrick Clan in bestselling author Vanessa Kelly's intoxicating series—and the independent woman who has stolen his heart...


The Highlander’s Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly

Publication Date: July 27, 2021
Zebra Books
Paperback & eBook; 352 pages

Series: Clan Kendrick Book 4
Genre: Historical Romance/Scottish

The latest in bestselling author Vanessa Kelly’s intoxicating Clan Kendrick series shines a light on the most respectable member of the Kendrick clan—and the independent woman who stole his heart...

Miss Kathleen Calvert may be the daughter of an Irish aristocrat, but she has no intention of acting like one. All she desires is to return to her family’s estate to raise horses and manage her father’s magnificent gardens. But when a scandal threatens her reputation, her parents order her to a remote Scottish estate, hoping she will finally learn to behave like a proper lady. To make matters worse, her escort is a handsome Highlander who just happens to be the most boring man in all of Scotland...

After a youth of dangerous and wild escapades, Grant Kendrick surprised his family—and himself—by becoming a successful businessman and the most respectable Kendrick brother. But does that matter, when the beautiful and free-spirited Kathleen deems him a stodgy bore? Luckily, he gets the chance to prove her wrong when their carriage is ambushed by thieves. But it will take all his ingenuity to protect the beautiful lass who has stormed her way into his heart—and to convince her that a life with him will be a love-filled adventure...

About the Author

Vanessa Kelly is a USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the “New Stars of Historical Romance.” Her Regency-set historical romances have been nominated in a number of contests, and she has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Her books have been published in nine languages.

Vanessa’s first Clan Kendrick book, The Highlander Who Protected Me, was a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, and BookScan bestseller. The Highlander’s Christmas Bride, her latest book, hit the top 50 on both the Barnes & Noble mass-market bestseller list and on BookScan. The Renegade Royals Series was a national bestseller, as was The Improper Princesses Series. My Fair Princess was named a Goodreads Romance of the Month and is a USA Today and BookScan bestseller.

When she’s not dreaming of plots for her next Regency novel, Vanessa is writing USA Today Bestselling books with her husband, under the pen name of V.K. Sykes.

You can find Vanessa at vanessakellyauthor.com or at vksykes.com. For all of Vanessa’s latest news and contests–and to receive a free story–please sign up for her newsletter on her website.

Excerpt:

        The Kendrick family is gathering for dinner with their visitors, which includes Kathleen Calvert and her little sister, Jeannie. Events don’t go as planned…

 

     “Grant hates dinner parties,” Kade said. “He says they’re a waste of time.”

     Gillian laughed. “That’s rather insulting, given that we’re the dinner party tonight.”

     “It’s also completely untrue,” said the topic of discussion as he walked into the room. “I only hate boring dinner parties. And from what Graeme has told me, the Duchess of Leverton is definitely not boring. In fact, he said she is the most interesting woman in London.”

     For a few moments, all Kathleen could do was stare. She’d thought Grant Kendrick handsome before, dressed as an ordinary businessman. Now, garbed in stark black and white evening kit, he looked spectacular.

     Gillian scoffed. “He only says that because he destroyed a very expensive Chinese screen at one of my parties. He’s still trying to make it up to me.”

     “I remember that night,” Kathleen said. “He’d caught someone trying to cheat an elderly lady at cards, as I recall.”

     “Yes. Graeme was quite . . .”

     “‘Fashed’ is the word you’re searching for,” Grant said in a wry tone.

     “Exactly. My screen was also became quite fashed, since your twin tossed the cheater right into it,” Gillian replied.

     “That’s our Graeme,” Royal said.

     “I thought it one of the most entertaining parties in quite some time, actually,” Kathleen said.

     Gillian laughed. “My poor husband did not entirely agree.”

     “Sabrina’s calmed the lad down,” Royal said. “Wives tend to do that sort of thing.”

     “Depends on the wife,” Gillian quipped.

     “Which is why you won’t be bored tonight,” Kathleen said to Grant. “Gillian won’t allow it.”

     Something sparked to life in Grant’s expression as his gaze flickered over her. Something that looked like. . . interest.

     “I suspect you wouldn’t allow it either, Miss Calvert.”

     He had a lovely voice. Deep and warm, with a slightly rough edge that almost made her shiver.

     Almost, because shivering over a man’s voice would be ridiculous.

     “It’s more of a challenge than one would expect,” she replied. “Most people are awfully dreary, you know.”

     When Grant’s expression turned blank, she winced.

     “Present company excepted, of course,” she hastily added.

     “Of course,” he said.

     “Shall we go in to dinner?” the countess brightly suggested.

     “I’d hold up on that for a wee bit, lassie.”

     Angus had slipped into the room, wearing a sheepish expression.

     The countess narrowed her gaze. “Grandda, what have you done now?”

     “Not me,” the old man said in a defensive tone. “It was Nancy. She got ahold of a wee little dish in the pantry. Nothin’ to speak of, ye ken.”

     Lord Arnprior shook his head. “Can you not keep that little hellion under control?”

     “She’s nae hellion,” Angus protested. “Just high-spirited.”

     “Grandda, Nancy is a disaster on four legs,” Grant said.

     “Who’s Nancy?” Jeannie asked.

     “Another one of Grandda’s terriers,” Kade explained. “She’s only a year old, so her manners aren’t very good yet.”

     “I think we can all agree that none of your grandfather’s dogs have very good manners,” Lady Arnprior tartly added.

     The butler stepped in, a pained expression on his dignified features. “I beg your pardon, my lady, but dinner will be delayed. There has been an incident in the pantry.”

     “Yes, so we just heard.” The countess sighed. “How bad is it, then?”

     “The kitchen maid and the junior footman attempted to retrieve tonight’s joint of beef from Nancy, giving chase.”

     “I take it they were not successful,” Grant dryly said.

     “The footman quite foolishly tripped over Nancy when she swerved during the chase. He then compounded the error by knocking over the table with the soup tureen and the fish course.”

     “How very clumsy of him,” Gillian said, trying not to grin.

     “Words fail me, Your Grace,” said Henderson, looking cut to the soul.

     By now, Royal, Kade, and Jeannie were all laughing, and Kathleen was doing her best not to aggravate the situation by joining them.

     Grant simply crossed his arms and shook his head at his grandfather.

     “It’s nae my fault, ye ken,” Angus said, protesting the silent reprimand.

     The countess glared at him. “It’s entirely your fault. I take it Cook is in hysterics?” she asked Henderson.

     “Smelling salts have been applied, but to little effect.”

     At that, even Lord Arnprior couldn’t hold back laughter.

     His wife pointed a finger. “This is no laughing matter, Nicholas.”

     “Of course not, my love,” he said in a choked voice.

     “Grant is the only man in this house with any sense,” she said with disgust. “And the only one who will get any dinner, if I have my way. Come along, Henderson. We must do our best to restore order.”

     She paused at the door to scowl at Angus. “And you and I will be having a discussion about this particular incident, and about your very bad dogs in general.”

     Angus bristled. “Now, see here, lassie—“

     “I wouldn’t, Grandda,” Arnprior warned.

     With an indignant huff, the countess sailed out of the room, followed by her faithful retainer.

     “A lot of botheration over nothin’ if ye ask me,” Angus said with commendable nonchalance. “Now, how about a wee dram to hold us over?”

 

 


2 comments:

Passages to the Past said...

Thank you so much for hosting The Highlander's Irish Bride!

Amy
HF Virtual Book Tours

Sandra Hoover said...

My pleasure!