title: Hard-Hearted Highlander: A Sexy Scottish Historical Romance (The Highland Grooms)
author:  Julia London 
description: "London's new Highland Grooms series will be well worth following if this first novel is any indication; she achieves something very difficult in a genre that often follows a formula-a suspenseful plot with an unpredictable conclusion." - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews on Wild Wicked Scot<br /><br />"Expert storytelling and believable characters make the romance between Arran and Margot come alive in this compelling novel packed with characters whom readers will be sad to leave behind." -Starred Review, Publishers Weekly on Wild Wicked Scot<br /><br />"This absorbing and passionate romance bodes well for future Highland Grooms titles." -Starred Review, Booklist on Wild Wicked Scot<br /><br />"London's well-honed storytelling skills carry the day."<br />-Publishers Weekly on The Scoundrel and the Debutante<br /><br />"London's writing bubbles with high emotion as she describes sexual enthusiasm, personal grief and familial warmth. Her blend of playful humor and sincerity imbues her heroines with incredible appeal, and readers will delight as their unconventional tactics create rambling paths to happiness."<br />-Publishers Weekly on The Devil Takes a Bride<br /><br />"This tale of scandal and passion is perfect for readers who like to see bad girls win, but still love the feeling of a society romance, and London nicely sets up future books starring Honor's sisters."<br />-Publishers Weekly on The Trouble with Honor<br /><br />"London's engaging series is recommended for all romance collections."<br />-Library Journal on The Scoundrel and the Debutante<br /><br />"A delectably sexy hero, an unconventionally savvy heroine, and a completely improper business proposal add up to another winner for ever-versatile London."<br />-Booklist on The Trouble with Honor
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  HIGHLAND EMBRACE
  
  
  
  
  
  “Look
  
  
  at me, Gisele,” Nigel commanded softly, brushing a tender kiss across her
  
  
  mouth.
  
  
  
  
  
  “I
  
  
  am not sure I wish to.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Come,
  
  
  look at me. See with your own eyes who is about to love you. If ye keep your
  
  
  bonny eyes shut, I fear memory may overcome fact.”
  
  
  
  
  
  Slowly,
  
  
  she opened her eyes, pushing her shyness aside as she recognized the wisdom of
  
  
  his reasoning. “There. I am looking at you,” she said, hearing the sulkiness
  in
  
  
  her voice despite the huskiness that still deepened it.
  
  
  
  
  
  Nigel
  
  
  ignored her touch of ill humor, for he could still hear the passion in her
  
  
  voice, feel it in the faint trembling of her lithe body, and see it in the
  
  
  flush upon her smooth, high-boned cheeks. “Ye need not fear the manhood,
  
  
  lassie, only the mon who wields it.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “I
  
  
  know that. In my mind, I truly do know that most of the time.”
  
  
  
  
  
  “Then
  
  
  keep your eyes open, so that your mind and heart can remember it. Keep them
  
  
  wide open so t