Hamish: The 93rd Highlanders, #1

By Samantha Kane

by  Samantha Kane  (Author)   Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars      63 ratings

3.9 on Goodreads 101 ratings | 68 Want to Read

Book 1 of 3: The 93rd Highlanders 

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From the author of BROTHERS IN ARMS comes a new, thrilling historical romance series! Meet the four Fletcher brothers, members of the elite 93rd Highlanders, as they fall in love during the chaos of war.

HAMISH, Book One, The 93rd Highlanders

In 1855 Hamish Fletcher is injured at Balaclava as part of the infamous Thin Red Line of the 93rd Highlanders. He's sent to the hospital at Scutari, where his childhood friend Phineas Harper is a doctor. Finn volunteered because so many of his friends and family were fighting in the Crimea. As soon as Hamish sees him all the confusing things he felt for Finn as a boy resurface. Having experienced war and the death of friends and family, both men are ready to face their feelings. But Finn has fallen in love with a widowed nurse and when he meets her, Hamish shares those feelings for the courageous and kind Edith. As Christmas approaches, they find the miracle of love amidst the chaos of war. 

HAMISH is a m/m/f historical, friends to lovers erotic romance

• Language: English
• Publisher: SK Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Feb 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311029829

Samantha Kane

Reviewers have called Samantha Kane “an absolute marvel to read,” and “one of historical romance’s most erotic and sensuous authors.”  Her books have been called “sinful,” “sensuous,” and “sizzling.” She is published in several romance genres including historical, contemporary, and science fiction.  Her erotic Regency-set historical romances have won awards, including Best Historical from RWA's erotic romance chapter Passionate Ink, and the Historical CAPA (best book) award from The Romance Studio.  She has a master's degree in American History and taught high school social studies for ten years before becoming a full-time writer. Samantha Kane lives in North Carolina with her husband and three children. http://samanthakanebooks.com http://twitter.com/skaneauthor http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSamanthaKane http://www.pinterest.com/kane2993 http://www.goodreads.com/SamanthaKane

Book preview

PROLOGUE

OCTOBER 25, 1854, BALACLAVA, RUSSIA

Hamish Fletcher leaned on the barrel of his Minié rifle, the butt resting on the ground, and took a puff off his pipe. He watched calmly as the 93 rd Highland Regiment scrambled to form two lines at the command of Sir Colin Campbell, commander of the Highland Brigade. They were closing ranks to face the oncoming Russian cavalry assault outside the allied-held port of Balaclava. He shook his head, wondering how in the hell the last line of defense had actually become the last line of defense. The British troops in the valley were supposed to have stopped the Russians long before they reached the 93 rd ’s position.

Ain’t you going to take your position, Captain? one of his men asked.

Aye, Hamish replied. When I need to. Might as well get a rest in before then.

The men around him laughed and suddenly they were all moving slower, panic erased by easy precision, the result of long practice. Hamish took one last puff and then tamped his pipe out on the ground, grinding his boot on the smoldering tobacco. He pocketed the pipe, and picked up his rifle as he saw the Russian cavalry bearing down on them across the valley. He wondered about his three brothers somewhere down the line. Douglas would be all right, he was a fighter. But the twins, Connie and Brodie, they were lovers, not fighters. Connie was too sweet, and Brodie had more tricks up his sleeve than a jester. Neither was made for fighting. He hoped Dougie could keep an eye on the other two.

Suddenly thoughts of home and his childhood haunted him. He was a realist for the most part, not given to romantic notions. But there were people he’d walked away from and things he’d left undone. He thought about Finn , one of Dougie’s boyhood friends who’d become his friend as well; and on one cool summer evening, more than a friend. Where was Finn now, he wondered, and did he think of Hamish, too, now and then? Did he regret, as Hamish did, walking away from the awkward passion that had possessed them that night? Finn had left for university, and Hamish had joined the 93 rd. Hamish didn’t often bother to question his actions or his motives; life was too short. But Finn had made him question everything he was and everything he had always thought he wanted. There had been many women since Finn, and Hamish enjoyed a good fuck. He’d never wanted another man. But Finn had been different. He shook his head to clear it, bringing his thoughts back to the present. Maundering on about the past wasn’t going to help fight this battle.

All right then, boys, he called out calmly. All in position?

Aye, Captain, his men replied.

Good, good, he said, walking over to stand next to Flaherty. The boy was new and nervous as hell, of course. Flaherty, he said, looking down at the lad whose face was a sickly green, you did remember to load your rifle, didn’t you?

The men around them laughed and Flaherty blushed, washing away the green. Aye, Captain, he said formally. If you look down the barrel, you’ll get a good shot of it.

Hamish laughed loudly. Good lad, he said, clapping Flaherty on the back. Several other men followed suit. I’ll let the Russians have first crack at your shot.

The battle, what there was of it, happened so quickly Hamish nearly missed it when he blinked. The Russian cavalry came bearing down on them and Sir Colin ordered the first volley. No harm befell the Russians, they were still too far away. The second volley seemed to confuse the Russians, and their approach slowed as several horses turned about and broke ranks. It was the third volley that caused the Russians to turn about and retreat, much to his amazement. As far as Hamish could tell there’d been almost no casualties on either side. Russian heads would roll for this, he thought with amusement.

We scared them off, Captain, Flaherty cried out in excitement. Just the sight of the scarlet coats of the 93 rd scared them away! He was spinning around in his jubilation, his rifle still pointed straight out, endangering the men around him.

Flaherty! Hamish barked, taking two quick steps to grab the rifle from his hands. At his call, however, Flaherty spun hard to face him and the rifle barrel slammed into Hamish’s forearm. He heard the crack and then the pain drove him to