HIGHLAND CAPTIVE IS OUT TODAY!

The wait is finally over! HIGHLAND CAPTIVE is 

out in the world!!!

And to celebrate, I'm having a giveaway for ALL 4 BOOKS in The Sons Of Gregor Macleod. 

🎉💗🎉💗🎉💗🎉💗🎉

Last night I was sitting in my family room trying to get through the last push of promo, blogs, and my newsletter before the clock struck midnight and HIGHLAND CAPTIVE was released to bookshelves and e-readers alike. My kids, because they are nothing if not helpful, were crouched in front of me, drumming their chopsticks on the ottoman and giving me an impromptu rock concert. The predominant lyrics in the song my daughter was belting out was “Babies rule!” My son was singing something about Ninjas.

At the same time.

It occurred to me that this was probably the best send-off into the world I could have given HIGHLAND CAPTIVE—Gavin and Deirdre's story—because this is also Ewan's story, the son that both Gavin and Deirdre claim.

And he would have loved it.

This story tore out my heart at times—more so, possibly, because I have kids. Seriously, there were nights I would be writing at the late-night café near me, and tears would be pooling in my eyes and trickling down my face as my fingers pounded the keyboard. It was funny, but at the same time, it was heart-wrenching!

Deirdre was going through the worst pain a mother could experience—losing her son, who wasn't really her son—and Gavin was in too much of his own pain to stop it.

Until he finally does…

He realizes that Deirdre isn't the monster he wants her to be—because he's still so angry his son was kidnapped and needs to blame someone—rather she's his son's savior… and if he lets her, she may just save him as well.

Hmmmm… if only there was some way both Gavin and Deirdre could keep Ewan. What could possibly happen, lol?! Especially after Gavin kidnaps Deirdre and takes her back to his castle.

Happily Ever Afters abound!

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I am happy to say, the book is getting great reviews!

“McLayne perfectly balances the raw emotions and pent-up desire at the heart of the romance with the thrilling swordplay and castle intrigue readers expect from their Scottish historical romances. Deeply touching love story between a fierce leader and the timid woman who finds her own strength by standing up to him.”                                            

                —Kirkus STARRED Review

“McLayne delivers a highly emotional, deeply satisfying tale of deceit and revenge, longing and loneliness, and ultimately of forgiveness and love. It’s a very fresh perspective in the world of Scottish Highland historicals.”

                                                                                        —BookPage

“Sizzling love scenes and a captivating, intelligent heroine… McLayne’s novel will appeal to those who enjoy expertly paced Highlands historicals with well-developed characters.” 

                                                                                       —Publishers Weekly

And here are a couple from Goodreads I love by fellow readers:

"I absolutely loved the author’s expert delivery of strong emotion and for making me literally laughing out loud with witty banter, then take in a deep breath for the steamy slow burn romance that leaves a heated blush!"

                                                                                       —Goodreads

"Gut-punch after gut-punch, the author delivered a plethora of emotions throughout the novel, from the lighthearted to the darkest of emotions, and all the levity and banter in between…"        

                                                                                       —Goodreads

So to celebrate HIGHLAND CAPTIVE coming out, I'm having a GIVEAWAY!

All 4 books in The Sons Of Gregor MacLeod series could be yours!! Please click HERE to enter!

Just in time for some summer beach reading!

  

Or at the lake!

*  *  *  *

A Short Excerpt:

 

Gavin stopped beside her, and she glanced up to find him watching her. Their eyes locked and held for a moment, and everything within her stilled.

He lowered himself to the edge of the bed, facing her, and from behind his back, he produced a box. It was wrapped in a soft, yellow cloth and tied with a blue ribbon. “This is for you,” he said quietly, handing it to her.

She stared down at the box, wondering. What could it be? And why was he giving it to her?

“It’s so pretty,” she said. “Is it for Ewan?”

“Nay, Deirdre. I said it was something for you. Open it.”

Her heart began to race, and her chest squeezed. “You mean…like a…a…”

“A gift,” he interjected. “Have you ne’er received a present before?” He said it as a jest, a small laugh puffing past his lips before he realized she wasn’t smiling. “Deirdre?” he asked.

She could hear the incredulity in his voice. She raised her eyes to his, feeling like she might cry. “Nay, I’ve ne’er received a gift just for me before. Other than Ewan, of course. But he wasn’t Lewis’s child to give.”

“He’s my child to give, and I freely gave him to you. Although I doona like the idea of ‘owning’ Ewan. And I think he chose you as much as you chose him.”

Now the tears did fall, silent streams down her face. “Thank you,” she whispered. She looked at the present in her hands. It was relatively flat and covered her lap. It had some weight to it and felt like the box might be tin. She grasped the end of the ribbon. “Do I just…” And she pulled a little.

He wrapped his hand over hers, the heat and strength of it engulfing hers, and helped her tug. The ribbon came loose, and the cloth fell away over her skirts, revealing a metal tin, as she’d suspected.

She lifted it up, and something slid around inside. Her eyes rose to his.

“Open it,” he encouraged. She could see he was excited to give it to her—something he’d chosen that he’d thought she would like. That he wanted her to like.

And that was the gift he was giving her. It didn’t matter what was inside. Despite his conflicted feelings about her relationship with Ewan when they first met, this man, who had already given her the greatest gift possible, had looked for and bought something for her. Only for her.

Something to please her.

She didn’t think. She just leaned forward, cupped his cheek with her hand, and pressed her lips to his.

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Out Now!

SHE'D SAVED HIS SON. COULD SHE SAVE HIM AS WELL?                     
Laird Gavin MacKinnon is a changed man—and not for the better. Even since his young son, Ewan, disappeared two years ago, Gavin has grown callous and bitter. Scouring the countryside, his search leads him to a mysterious woman who maintains the boy is hers. He decides to take them both and ask questions later.

Deirdre MacIntyre will go with the brooding laird if it will keep her son safe. Gavin has to admit that the beautiful lass has a bond with Ewan, and things aren't adding up. When Deirdre's clan comes to claim her under threat of war, Gavin has a choice to make: fight for her or let her go.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Chapters/Indigo 

iBooks | Google Play

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Alyson McLayne is a mom of twins and an award-winning writer of contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance. She’s also a dog lover and cat servant with a serious stash of dark chocolate. After getting her degree in theater at the University of Alberta, she promptly moved to the West Coast of Canada where she worked in film for several years and met her Prop Master husband.

She and her family reside in Vancouver with their sweet but troublesome chocolate lab named Jasper.

Please catch up with Alyson on social media. She loves chatting with her readers!