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Christy English | Why We Love Highlander Heroes
There are so many reasons to love Highland Heroes...Before we explore that, I
want to
introduce you to my Highlander, Alexander Waters.
As HOW TO
SEDUCE A
SCOT begins, Alexander is trapped in Almack's, dressed in satin breeches,
trying to
marry off his sister to an unsuspecting Englishman. While no gentleman is ever
completely
at ease in Almack's, the realm of white-clad debutantes and imperious
patronesses, Alex
is
especially uncomfortable because foppish Englishmen and large Highlanders
simply don't
mix.
Alex and his brother Robert are from the region of Scotland half a day's ride
north of
Aberdeen. Their country seat is Glenderrin, which boasts a refurbished castle
of stone,
a
river, called a burn, that runs close by, and a deep lake, or a loch, that
unfortunately
holds no beast like the famed Loch Ness Monster. Their land yields both oats
and sheep,
but neither can keep the Waters family afloat. Their money comes from trade
with Nova
Scotia, both in furs and timber.
Alexander is a sea faring man, who has just outfitted a ship to sail to the
West
Indies.
But when he meets Catherine Middlebrook in the Almack's assembly room, all his
plans
change.
Like all Highland Scots, Alex is a proud man who loves his homeland. Though his
mother
is
English, she became part of the Waters family and clan when she married their
father.
Alex
doesn't identify with his English relations at all, but he does rely on them
for help
from
time to time while he is in London. While Alex has worked hard to learn to
speak
proper
standard British, in moments of duress and passion, he slips into his native
lilt, much
to
Catherineโs delight.
There is something about a tall man with broad shoulders that makes every woman
smile.
All the Highlanders I've known, whether in fiction or in film, have been such
men. Even
now, a smile comes to my face as Gerard Butler comes to mind...
 Photo of Gerard Butler by Billy Farrell/BFA NYC/Sipa
USA
But there is more to a Highland hero than just good looks.
Integrity is one trait a Highland hero always possesses, and Alexander Waters
and the
Waters men all have integrity in abundance. When they give their word, they
keep it,
whether to each other, to their sister, or to the women they love.
Courage is another trait that all Highland heroes share. After years of defeat
at the
hands of the English, they have learned to look loss in the eye without
flinching, and
to
see the world as it is. That clear-eyed courage helps them to see a way around
difficulties when they arise. Whether it's a mortgaged estate or a house on
fire, a
Highlander is the man to deal with the problem.
A Highlander loves his family. He is loyal to his clan and to his kin, whatever
the
cost.
Alexander and Robert do not shirk from their little sister's needs, but take
her south
to
London to help her find the future she seeks. Or in Mary Elizabethโs case, the
future
her
mother has planned for her. A close knit group, a Highland family stands by
each of its
members, and protects them. Once a woman marries into a Highland family, she
takes on
her
husband's clan, and not only her husband but the entire family owes her
protection. A
woman who marries into a Highland clan, as Mary Elizabeth's mother married into
the
Waters
family, gains more than just a husband.
 Photo of Jamie Frasier by Starz
Of course, my favorite hot Highlanders are Alexander and Robert Waters, but as
the
author
of their novels, I am biased. But beyond my own gentlemen, there are more than
a few
Highlanders in fiction that are sterling examples.
Jamie Frasier from the wonderful Outlander novels is one of my personal favorites.
With
men
like
Claire's Jamie, and Catherine's Alexander in the world, we have plenty of
Highlanders
to
love.
Giveaway
Who's your favorite Highlander and why? Leave a comment below and be entered
for a
chance to win a copy of HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOT.
Ever since Christy English picked up a fake sword in stage combat class at the
age of
fourteen, she has lived vicariously through the sword-wielding women of her
imagination.
Sometimes an actor, always a storyteller, Christy works happily with
Sourcebooks
Casablanca to bring the knife-throwing women of her novels to life. A banker by
day and
a
writer by night, she loves to eat chocolate, drink too many soft drinks, and
walk the
mountain trails of her home in western North Carolina.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
He's the terror of the ton...
The plan is simple:
1. Descend from the Highlands to face the aggravation of a
London Season;
2. Foist his wild sister off on some gullible English lord;
3. Retreat before the ladies of the scandalized ton can get
any ideas.
Determined to see his hellion of a sister wed, Highlander
Alexander Waters is willing to face
anything-even the English. He just didn't expect his own
rough manners to cause such a
riot...or for a blooming English rose to catch his eye.
Gently bred Catherine Middlebrook must find a respectable
man to marry or her family will be
ruined. She won't allow herself to be distracted by
Highland
barbarians...no matter how her
body may thrill whenever Alex is near.
Catherine wasn't part of the plan, but as their battle of
wills escalates, Alex comes to realize
this "proper" English girl is as wild as the Highlands
themselves...and nothing will stop him
from having her.
Comments
27 comments posted.
Re: Christy English | Why We Love Highlander Heroes
How can anyone pick a favorite when there are so many yummy Highlanders to choose from? If I had to pick, or at least narrow it down, I would say either of the MacKeltar twins in Karen Marie Moning's Highlander Series.
(Peg Griffin 12:58pm December 2, 2015)
There is no way to choose a favorite, when each
Highlander has their own merits. Therefore, I'll have
to just say that I'm looking forward to reading your
latest book. The story line sounds really good, and
because of the content, I know I'll enjoy the read!!
The cover of the book is beautifully done as well!!
Congratulations on your latest book, which I'm sure
will do well!! I hope you have a very Merry
Christmas, and I wish you all the best in the coming
year!!
(Peggy Roberson 5:44am December 2, 2015)
Good choice Peg! Thank you for joining me today :) And
Peggy, you make a good point :) I love the cover,
too...Sourcebooks does such a beautiful job with those.
Merry Christmas to both of you and thanks for hanging out
with me.
(Christy English 7:04am December 2, 2015)
I do like Jamie from Outlander. Interesting bit of history they
traded with Nova Scotia. I need to read about Alexander and
Robert and so have added to my TBR list.
(Leona Olson 11:39am December 2, 2015)
I don't really have a favorite. All the ones I have met
have been very nice though.
(Krypton I 1:02pm December 2, 2015)
How would I pick a favorite? It's just too hard---those
kilts just strip your brain of all reasoning power.
(Sue Farrell 1:18pm December 2, 2015)
Oh too hard to choose a fav... I enjoy them all!
(Colleen Conklin 2:30pm December 2, 2015)
I don't really have a favorite I love them all!! Each is so different and wonderful!!! Got to love those Scots!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 4:06pm December 2, 2015)
This book looks great. I don't have a favorite highlander
because I have not read a highlander book. At least not that I
can remember.
(Julie Wingate 4:40pm December 2, 2015)
Thank you so much Leona! I hope you enjoy Alex and Robbie
:) They are my favorite Highlanders :)
(Christy English 6:47pm December 2, 2015)
LOL Krypton I :)
(Christy English 6:48pm December 2, 2015)
LOL Sue! My God you are not kidding :)
(Christy English 6:48pm December 2, 2015)
Bonnie, Julie and Colleen, I have to tell you, I've never
met a Highlander I didn't like :)
(Christy English 6:49pm December 2, 2015)
Thank you all so much for joining me today for this fun
Highland chat :)
(Christy English 6:50pm December 2, 2015)
Jamie Fraser has been my favorite Highlander ever since I
first read Ouylander. I love him because, for all his
faults, he's a great guy. He loves and is devoted to
Claire; he's honorable and dedicated to the people under
his care; he's extremely brave; and he has a great sense
of humor. Oh, and lets not forget that he's tall and
verra handsome!
(Janie McGaugh 10:47pm December 2, 2015)
I have to pick just ONE?! Are you kidding me? Ok then...
Gerard Butler!
(Kelly Braun 2:02am December 3, 2015)
LOL Kelly...I'm with you there! And Janie, I love Jamie
Fraser too :) Thanks for joining in you guys
(Christy English 7:11am December 3, 2015)
I like all of them but Jamie Fraser because he is complex bur simple at the same time.
(Melinda Marks 9:55am December 3, 2015)
No favorite but I love any one in a kilt.
(Pam Howell 11:25am December 3, 2015)
Jamie Fraser is my favorite, but I love them ALL!!
(Mj Chesick 12:27pm December 4, 2015)
Connor and Jamie!
(Ca Boer 11:47am December 4, 2015)
I can't name a favorite , any would do . I'm not hard to please . Thanks for this giveaway .
(Joan Thrasher 12:33pm December 4, 2015)
My favorite Scott...my husband!
(Mary Hay 3:23pm December 4, 2015)
Oh, Jamie Fraser is one of my very book favorites as well.
For real people, Sean Connery and Colin Farrell.
(Sandy Haber 4:05pm December 4, 2015)
Has to be Jamie Fraser. He is my idea of a Highlander.
(Mary Preston 12:06pm December 5, 2015)
Loved the Highlander movies! But my favorite Highlanders have
been in books - Julie Garwood wrote some excellent ones (like
'The Bride') and Monica McCarty's Highland Guard series is
wonderful.
(Diane Sallans 9:28pm December 5, 2015)
Love ALL the Highlanders -- just have to love a man that can wear a kilt and look sexy.!!
(Ruth Chesick 4:44am December 14, 2015)
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