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Surrender to the Highlander

(Highland Brides #5)

Lynsay Sands (Goodreads Author)

4.05 · Rating details · 3,667 ratings · 296 reviews

Edith Drummond owes her life to Niels Buchanan and his brothers. Waking after an illness to a castle overrun by rugged Highlanders is disconcerting, but so is learning that she’s slowly being poisoned. Niels insists on staying by her side, and Edith soon discovers that even more dangerous is her wild attraction to the fierce warrior.

Niels has never met a more courageous—or ...more

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ebook, 384 pages

Published January 30th 2018 by Avon

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· 3,667 ratings · 296 reviews

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Sep 04, 2020 Anne rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: libby-app, read-in-2020, kilts, trashy-romance-novel, audio

Another B movie plot brought to life by Sands.
And by that I mean these aren't particularly good. This Highlander series is outrageous and cheesy as fuck.

description

But make no mistake.<--I'm 100% ok with this.
Mostly.

description

I recently read and liked Sands' The Wrong Highlander, so I grabbed this one in the hopes of hearing more of the soap opera story with a sexy accent.
Buyer beware! Sean William Doyle was the narrator for this book and he...kinda ruined it for me.
His character accents are really good, but his ...more

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Jul 14, 2018 Jen rated it really liked it

Shelves: humor-funny, july-2018, erotic-romance, kindle-own, series-book, historical-romance, scottish

This is book #5 in the highlanders brides series! I’m devouring these books like candy! I just can’t stop! In this one, it is about one of the Buchanan brothers again; I have to say that I find these brothers highly amusing!!! Their family dynamics crack me up!!! Even though they tease each other fiercely, they are loyal to each other and the love they have for one another is heartwarming!!! I can’t get enough, and I’m glad the next book is going to be about the oldest brother!!!

On top of all th ...more

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Jan 29, 2018 Simply Love Book Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: simply-love-kitty

Even in the Scottish Highlands, Lynsay Sands melts my heart and brings me nothing but happiness. The story of Edith and Niels was fun, exciting and sexy. A little bit of intrigue and a determined man looking out for the most amazing woman he has met combines for some fun and interesting times.

Niels was a Buchanan through and through. Grouchy, fierce and when he meets the woman he wants, he will stop at nothing to protect and save her … no matter how many times some one tries to kill her. And, there is nothing that he won't do to get her into his bed. But, he did have a loving side as well and I loved watching him go from intrigued with Edith to falling in love with her.

Edith had no idea why anyone would want her dead. She knows that she will be delegated to the Abbey if her new sister-in-law has anything to say about it. But, until she returns, it's her responsibility to take care of Drummond and it's residents. And, honestly, once she is feeling better, she can't wait to spend some time with the strapping Niels. He intrigues her, protects her and is very interesting.

As they start trying to figure out who the murder is in the Keep, Niels and Edith get closer and closer. He will not allow Edith to waste her life at the Abbey and there is nothing that her brother and sister-in-law can do if she is married. And, he can't wait to bed her. But, when the truth comes out, Edith has some decisions to make that could break her heart.

Lynsay Sands can write Historical Romance. Lynsay Sands can write Paranormal. Lynsay Sands can write the alphabet and I would read it. I love her style of writing and she always brings the Highlands to life. I can hear the Scottish Brogue in my head as I am reading the story. She makes me laugh and smile and always hope for the best with the wonderful characters that she pens. Her woman are strong but sweet and her men are always brawny and steamy. She wrote so many interesting secondary characters in Surrender to the Highlander but none so adorable as Ronson. Luckily, there are few more Buchanan's that have to meet the woman of their dreams and I am anticipating watching each one of the give away their hearts.

...more

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Jul 25, 2018 Katy rated it did not like it

Shelves: medieval, romance, fluffy-romance, historical-romance, highlander-romance, gave-up, abandoned, over-hyped, coverly-love, series

DNF somewhere around 65%

I give up. I just can't with this book.

The beginning was fine. Ish. Tolerable. Nothing terrible. The writing was okay, the romance was pretty nonexistent but there was time for it to get better. Then we have the disastrous wedding night scene. Edith wants to know what to expect on her wedding night and asks her maid to tell her how to please a man. The maid is of course just as ignorant as Edith but passes on what she's heard. Which leads to Edith smearing preserves all ...more

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Dec 19, 2017 Stacee rated it really liked it

Shelves: edelweiss, read-in-2017, hair-swoons

I'm slowly getting into Highlander-type books and I couldn't resist the synopsis of this one...even if that cover cannot be taken seriously.

I love love loved Edith and Niels. She's smart and maybe a bit sassy. He's loyal and maybe a bit gruff. Together they have a great rapport, amazing chemistry, and are super easy to root for. All of his brothers are hilarious and I enjoyed the banter between the siblings.

Plot wise, it was entertaining. I liked the poisoning plot line and how Edith didn't al ...more

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Feb 17, 2019 Desi rated it did not like it

Sands sure takes formulaic to the next level. Cue murderous intent, sidestepped grief that would neutralize a normal human, convenient confession, plot apropos death of villain, inappropriate sex scene between strangers, rushed marriage and a plethora of siblings.

E for effort I guess?

This one wasn't even funny, and she sometimes can be.

I would even add that the speed at which he assaulted her person the moment they were alone, while a kid was nearby, was frankly insulting. a) she had barely r ...more

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Jan 06, 2019 Vanna (on a semi-hiatus due to onslaught of work) rated it liked it

Shelves: mf-romance, series, hot-medium, low-angst, historical-romance

Re-Read: 4/3/2021

3 stars!! Liked it... but it was not as enjoyable as the previous books in this series. Story had everything- romance, mystery, likable H&h, humor.. but there was a lack of chemistry between the H&h 😬and therefore I missed the under current of steam that is typically found in a book by Ms Sands. However, the story was pretty thrilling and the villain was totally unexpected. 😱, but I do wish there was an epilogue or something.. the ending seemed rushed. 🤔

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Jan 23, 2018 Bambi Unbridled rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, avon-addicts, romance-historical, scotland

Whenever I see a new Lynsay Sands historical, I get grabby hands! I know every book is going to be a quick fun read that has me laughing out loud, and Surrender to the Highlander was no exception. While you can probably read these books as standalones, I think you will have much more fun with the series if you start at the beginning, with An English Bride in Scotland.

I am totally head over heels in love with the Buchanan family. While I think my favorite is the broody and scarred Aulay, I can't deny that I would love to hang out with the fun-loving Buchanan brood who tease and taunt each other at every turn.

Our hero in this installment is Neils Buchanan, the third son in the family line-up. Saidh Buchanan, the sole sister who is currently large with child, persuades the boys to go check on her friend who had been ill and stopped responded to messages. The boys reluctantly make their way to Drummond keep and quickly discover that someone wishes the Drummonds harm and has been doing a speedy job of dispatching of the family. Neils was a great hero. He was a large lusty lad who was protective over our heroine and determined to discover who meant her harm. Neils wasn't as humorous as some of the brothers, but his reaction to humorous situations was endearing and made me love him all the more.

Edith Drummond has lost most of her family and has been hanging on to her own life by a thread. When the Buchanan brothers show up on her door and discover that she has been poisoned, Edith must come to terms with the idea that her family was murdered and someone is actively trying to kill her. But with the big brawny Highlander dogging her tail, Edith has a hard time focusing on the danger when she is distracted by steamy kisses and erm... other things. Surprisingly, Edith had me laughing out loud more than the Buchanans. I had tears coming out of my eyes on Edith's wedding night and her implementation of the advice she had gotten from a maid. I still crack up just thinking about it. Edith was a good heroine, somewhat careless with her safety, but she was likable and fun and a good match for Neils.

Given Edith's poisoning and illness, this romance was not instalove. There was definitely instant attraction on both sides, but the romance unfolded at a nice pace along with the rest of the story. Both danger and humorous obstacles were thrown in Neils and Edith's path, and they handled everything with aplomb. I enjoyed seeing both the buildup and some of their life following the marriage, and I was glad that the some of the Buchanan brothers had a heavy presence in the story.

Surrender to the Highlander was a perfect blend of romance, mystery, suspense and humor. I will be waiting for the next installment on pins and needles.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Avon. ...more

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Jan 23, 2022 Missy rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1-overdrive-ebook, 1-overdrive-audio, mystery, hero-highlander, 2022-series-challenge

Same plot as the other books in this series. 🙄

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Sep 12, 2017 Quinn rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, 2017-audiobook-challenge

I received this book for free from Edelweiss/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I was introduced to Lynsay Sands historical romances through Jennifer from Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews. I've read quite a few of her books at this point. Generally I enjoy them, but they rarely leave lasting impressions on me. That's the case with Surrender to the Highlander. It was a completely fine read, but once I finished, I forgot a I received this book for free from Edelweiss/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I was introduced to Lynsay Sands historical romances through Jennifer from Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews. I've read quite a few of her books at this point. Generally I enjoy them, but they rarely leave lasting impressions on me. That's the case with Surrender to the Highlander. It was a completely fine read, but once I finished, I forgot about it.

Surrender to the Highlander is about Edith Drummond and Neils Buchanan. Neils and a few of his brothers go to Edith's home at the urging of their sister. When Neils arrives, he discovers Edith is very ill. Everyone at the castle believes Edith will soon die, but Niels and his brothers help her recover. They realize that Edith might have been poisoned, and so Neils and his brother stay on to help sort out the mystery. And of course, Edith and Neils fall for each other.

Both Neils and Edith were easy characters to like. Edith is the daughter of a laird, but her father and her older brother passed away quickly, while Edith was sick. She's kind, and cares very much about the people that rely on her family to help them. It was so clear how much her people respected Edith and were happy that she recovered from the poisoning.

Neils was great too. He's also the son of a laird, but he's a younger son. I loved seeing him take on responsibility while trying to figure out who the baddie was. I also really enjoyed seeing his relationship with his brothers.

I absolutely did want Neils and Edith to get together. They made a great couple and a great team as they took over running the keep. That said, they really aren't a memorable couple. As is often the case with Lynsay Sands historicals, the characters would sometimes do something silly, more as a way to move the plot along, than really something these characters would actually do.

So, if you're looking for something easy and stress-free, and you like historical romances, try Surrender to the Highlander by Lynsay Sands out. However I do think there are better Lynsay Sands books that this one.This review was originally posted on Quinn's Book Nook ...more

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Dec 16, 2017 Alisa Jenkins rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle, romance-historical, avon, highlanders, 18-plus, 2017, edelweiss

Who wouldn't want the Buchanans to save them? But waking to find them all over your castle, yeah that could be a little scary.
Edith, at times seems like her personality was undetermined. But most of the time she was stubborn and head-strong.
Niels, full highland male. Very protective.
The Buchanans and Edith have quite a mystery on their hands to solve, with lots of heartache in store for Edith.
Twist at the end.

*I received my copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review ...more

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Jan 31, 2018 Reading In Pajamas rated it it was amazing

Review & Giveaway: SURRENDER TO THE HIGHLANDER by Lynsay Sands https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-abi
Publication Date: January 30, 2018
Genre: Historical Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 4.5 Stars

When Lynsay Sands releases a book I immediately grab a copy because I know I’m going to enjoy it. Her historical and paranormal romance series are a great mix of humor and hot romance. SURRENDER TO THE HIGHLANDER is the fifth book in Lynsay Sands' Scottish Highlander Series, but each book is a standa ...more

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Apr 18, 2018 SidneyKay rated it did not like it

Shelves: romance-scotland

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Dinna fash yersel'

Hey, guess what! Get ready to journey back to the good old days of Scotland. Yep, those were the days when lassies were lassies and laddies were brawny and said "dinna" a lot.

It's been a while since I've read a Lindsay Sands. I couldn't remember why I didn't read her anymore. I remember loving The Deed. I also remember enjoying her vampire books, until I became tired of the gazillion cell-phone conversation her characters had. Regardless, I picked up Surrender to the Highlander ...more

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Jan 25, 2018 Lover of Romance rated it really liked it

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A sexy tale that takes you make to breathtaking Scotland with its cool breezes, beautiful scenery and a murder mystery with a matching love story to curl your toes!!!

There is nothing that I like better than relaxing with a good book but when it comes to Lynsay Sands I always know that I am in for ...more

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Jul 25, 2019 Mara rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook-owned

Big caveat here: the portrayal of sexual assault/abuse in this is far too glib in a crucial scene IMO. It was quite a sour note in an otherwise very enjoyable book

That said, this delivers the lighthearted Sands goodness that really works for me: likeable heroine + hero, quasi-marriage of convenience where they are moving from like to love, and a nice little mystery plot thrown in as the main plot engine. Rompy loch-y fun - yes please

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Jan 29, 2021 Mariana rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, challenge-addicts, library, mad-about-series-challenge, highlander, medieval

I liked both the hero and the heroine. However, this series has too many crazy, psycho, murderous women! It was great the first time, but it's starting to get redundant now. ...more

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Jan 25, 2018 Elley Murray rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-edelweiss, romance, best-friends-sibling, historical-romance, assassins-and-thieves, highlanders

I really enjoyed this book! I've only recently started reading highlander romances, and I'm still iffy on if I love or hate them. A big part of that is the dialect, making the dialogue sometimes hard to schlep through. I feel that the dialect in Surrender to the Highlander was a little heavy handed, and also inconsistent. Edith would say "not" in one breath and in the next say "no' ". Another character would refer to something as "my plaid" on one page and later "me plaid". After just finishing I really enjoyed this book! I've only recently started reading highlander romances, and I'm still iffy on if I love or hate them. A big part of that is the dialect, making the dialogue sometimes hard to schlep through. I feel that the dialect in Surrender to the Highlander was a little heavy handed, and also inconsistent. Edith would say "not" in one breath and in the next say "no' ". Another character would refer to something as "my plaid" on one page and later "me plaid". After just finishing another highlander romance where they used "nae" for not, it felt uncomfortable to me to read the shifting "no'/not" in this book. I also REALLY didn't like Ronson's swearing. He supposedly picked it up from Niels and his brothers, but you never see the adults actually swearing that much, and certainly not that disgustingly. I felt it was overdone and off-putting and could have been handled with a little more delicate of a hand. And that's it, for what I didn't like, let's get on to all the things I loved!!

Surrender the Highlander also focuses a lot on the murder/mystery aspect of the storyline, which is great if you like that kind of thing and less great if you like your romances more emotionally plot driven. I happen to enjoy a little murder and mystery with my romance, so this worked for me! At times I wanted to shake the characters - especially Edith - and yell "That is significant! What are you doing?! Tell Niels and the other people about that, ye gurt dummy!" Without spoiling anything, I will just say that the plot revolves a lot around identifying and catching a murderer, and I kept having my suspicions about who did what and how and why. I was definitely kept guessing, and was super surprised at the big reveal (though I did have some inklings right just a chapter or two before that, so there was definitely foreshadowing!). That part of the plot was handled very masterfully, and I felt it wasn't just a cardboard cutout villain with wishy-washy motives.

I loved Edith, who is both fiery fierce and humbly kind. She works hard with her people and doesn't consider herself above them just because she's lady of the castle. She's very naïve in some things (the fruit preserves!! OMG, I died!!) but isn't afraid to stick up for herself, for her people, and for what she knows is right. She's a strong and compassionate character, and has a great balance to her. Niels is also great, and I do love me a growly over-protective alpha male. Their dynamic is great, and while they only know each other for a short time (the entire book takes place over only a week or so, if I recall correctly) their relationship manages to feel like it develops fairly organically. (No insta-love here! Plenty of insta-lust though…)

This is the fifth book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. (I'm living proof, having not read the first four books myself!) It does have some spoilers for what I assume are the first four books in the series, since it talks about four other couples and that's typically the MCs of earlier books making a little cameo. Since I haven't read the first four books though I can't absolutely swear it, though Neils' brother and sister appear to me lead characters in two of them. Anyway, any spoilers aren't much more spoilery than what you already know from reading the blurb on the back cover/Goodreads.

*I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss+ and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This review was cross posted on my blog, Elley the Book Otter

...more

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Sep 29, 2020 Niki (mustreadalltheromance) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: suspense-danger, steamy, priority, highlanders, injured-cared-for-during-recovery

Concerned when her friend doesn’t respond to her letters, Saidh Buchanan MacDonnell sends her brothers to Drummond to ensure Edith’s wellbeing. After a weeks-long illness, Edith is surprised when she wakes to find Drummond Castle filled with unknown Highlanders. She’s even more shocked to learn her illness was actually caused by repeated poisoning. Niels Buchanan glues himself to her side as they work to find the poisoner and soon Edith realizes her heart is in danger from Niels and his charm.

Ni ...more

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Nov 09, 2017 nikkia neil rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: edelweiss, hist-romance

Thanks Edelweiss for this ARC.

Lynsay Sands knows her highlanders. This book comes across as authentic with he-man heroics and damsel saving. It's a great example of down to earth Highland historical romance.
...more

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Sep 13, 2018 Archer Brinkley rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

Bought it at Rite Aid, exactly what you expect it to be and I am NOT ASHAMED.

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Nov 22, 2019 Nicole rated it really liked it

Gosh this series is so good!

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Jan 30, 2018 The Book Junkie Reads . . . rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-ebook, againagain-and-again, highlandlovers, author_free_reads, historical_romance, edelweiss, action-adventure

Niels finally has his turn at love, protection, alpha, highlander-he-man mode. . .

I admit right up front that I am so bias. I love this highlander series. I love these families. I LOVE these men. I LOVE the women that win their hearts, loyalty and protection. And to finally have Niels' story was just a topper on a great day. I have falling a bit in love with him over the course of the series. He has lived up to my expectation of what I wanted for him. I had no problem at all just falling head f ...more

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Oct 02, 2017 Michele rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars

See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com

Lynsay Sands’ hunky Scotsmen were up to mischief as well as some swoon-worthy good deeds in Surrender to the Highlander. A bit of a mystery, some steamy chemistry, and the humor I count on from Sands, this historical romance was just what I needed.

Okay, so I’m coming off of a bit of a book hangover and honestly, Lynsay Sands’ brand of comical but ultimately heartfelt romance hit me just right. I have a great time reading her work, ...more

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Jan 13, 2018 Tanja OMGReads rated it really liked it

Shelves: omgreads

This story is of Highlander Niels and Edith who is a victim of poisoning, which has killed her father and her brothers. Edith is one of the strongest female characters that I’ve read. I loved how Niels had become protective of her and wanted to do all in his power to keep her safe. The mystery to who has poisoned and wanted to end her family has us guessing until the end. I especially loved the banter between Niels and his brothers.

This story has all the elements of a great historical read wit ...more

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Jan 28, 2018 Melissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: romantic-reads, to-review, 24-in-48-2018

Sands’s Scottish romances are ridiculous and could use a solid editor for the language (if you take the time to pepper in “ken” and “sgian-dubh” you can do the research for a suitable Scots epithet instead of “ai yi yi”) and they are a load of fun to read. I did like this much better than I did the last Highlander romance - the hero and heroine actually discuss plans of action and Edith is treated like a smart person. If you’ve read a lot of Sands, then the murder plot feels a bit rehashed but o ...more

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Feb 12, 2021 Naomi rated it really liked it

Shelves: alpha-males, historical

I love these books, I will say, the plot is almost always the same so it makes for a very predictable read but I always enjoy myself.

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Feb 22, 2021 Christa rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-book, favorites-2021, 2021, part-of-a-series, scotland

Hands down the most hilarious innocent bride doesn’t know what to do on the wedding night scene I’ve ever read. I had to put it down because I was laughing so hard there were tears.

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Jul 26, 2019 Oliver rated it did not like it

The audiobook revealed the amusingly terrible and woefully inaccurate attempt at Scots dialect, and I had to turn it off at 7 hours in when it just got too straight for me to cope any longer, despite the entertainment value of the terrible Scots. The cover image is desceptively homoerotic, and I'm thoroughly disappointed. ...more

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Feb 23, 2018 Mary Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance

This was a good fast read. Murder and a sexy Scotsman, what more can you ask for?

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Feb 23, 2018 Dayna Smith rated it liked it

Shelves: guilty-pleasures

I always enjoy her stories.

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About Lynsay Sands

Lynsay Sands

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LYNSAY SANDS is the nationally bestselling author who is known for her hysterical historicals as well as the popular Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series. With her witty and charming personality, Sands describes books as, “Waking dreams or stories, tales to amuse, entertain and distract us from everyday life.” She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to ...more