The Best of Iain MacKinnon

While we're all enduring the countdown to the release of the author's cut of Surrender, I thought I would share with you my favorite quotes from the story.

Sometimes when I'm writing, I find myself putting words on the page that make me laugh or touch me or that seem like the kind of think readers will remember even after they finished the book. And then I wonder if readers actually do notice and appreciate the things I think are special in a story.

With that in mind, I thought I'd share with you my 10 favorite quotes from Surrender. Those of you who've read the book can tell me whether they resonate with your favorite quotes, while those of you who haven't can just endure the torment of being teased in tiny tidbits.

I've excluded favorite quotes that would give away plot, so there are other quotes not included here. Also, in a couple of instances, I've had to include the set-up so that Iain's words are presented in context and make sense.

Ready?

Here are my favorite quotes from Iain MacKinnon in the order they appear in the story:


"Your men will no' strike him again, or I'll show you just how much barbarian blood runs in my veins!"

~~~


"Kickin' a man in the stones is a strange way to thank him for savin' your life, lass."

~~~

"'Tis a remedy made by the old grannies of the Muhheconneok people. Try though I might to get those old women to yield their secrets, they tell me I am only a man and that I should fetch more meat and ask fewer questions."

~~~

"If they didna shoot us outright, they'd have taken us prisoner and interrogated us both. If their captain were an honorable man, he'd have protected you from his men until you could be traded back to the redcoats for a French prisoner. If no', I suspect they'd have passed you around like a flask of rum. After that, lass, I dinnae think it would much have mattered."

~~~


"When a man looks into a woman's eyes, lass, he doesna want to see the horrors he has kent written there. He wants to see joy and warmth and some measure of innocence. 'Tis the natural duty and desire of a man to protect his woman and children from the world's bitterness."

~~~

"You'd tempt a saint, lass. But I am no' a saint."


~~~

"I ken why they died!" Iain's temper snapped. "I will live wi' that anguish for the rest of my life. But you were no' there. You didna see her spill out of the forest at my feet. You didna watch her fightin' wi' all she had to stay alive. If I'd have left her to be raped and murdered, I'd no' be able to live wi' myself."

[And a couple of lines later]

"Dinnae try to tell me the cost of war, pretty wee prince! While you sit in here wi' your brandy and warm fire, my men and I live and breathe war. Hang me if you wish. Flay the skin off my back. But I could no more have left her to be murdered than I could have killed her myself."

~~~

"You tell them I'll slit any man who dishonors her from brow to balls, and that includes Wentworth. While she is here, she is under my protection."

~~~


Iain spoke to his men, a grin on his face. "Morn', boys. I heard you had a bit of a collieshangie in the night. Sorry to wake you so early."


~~~


"You are far more than your maidenhead, Annie, but you dinnae need to explain. I have nothin' to offer a woman, and you deserve the love and protection of a husband. I wouldna send you to your marriage bed feelin' shame."

~~~


"That's the sixth kiss you've stolen from me!"

"So you're keepin' a tally, are you, lass?" Iain grinned. "Forgi'e me for sayin' so, but it seems to me you stole that one right back. Or was that someone else's tongue in my mouth?"

~~~


"Nay, Annie. You're right about me. I am a barbarian. If you stay, 'tis only a matter of time before I come to your bed and steal far more than a kiss. You ken it as well as I. Aye, I can feel it in the way your heart is beatin'. If you stay here, you and I will lie together — as sure as the sun rises."

~~~

She reached up, held his face between her palms. "How can I help but fret? You live wi' death on your heels."


"For your sake, lass, I promise to stay one step ahead."

~~~

"Forgi'e me, Father, for I'm about to sin."

~~~

"You think to judge me, MacKinnon? I've littered the ground wi' the corpses of men like you."

Iain raised his blade and smiled. "You've never met a man like me."


For me, that last line has always summed up Iain and his brothers — that new breed of men created by life on the frontier. Born in Scotland, raised to manhood among the Mahican, they are a mix of Highlander and Indian warrior. I've loved writing this series, and I'm so glad so many of you have loved it, too.

I hope you enjoyed the quotes!

Only 9 days until Iain and Annie story starts again!