Celeste Barclay, a nom de plume, lives near the Southern California coast with her husband and sons. Growing up in the Midwest, Celeste enjoyed spending as much time in and on the water as she could. Now she lives near the beach. She’s an avid swimmer, a hopeful future surfer, and a former rower. Before becoming a full-time author, Celeste was a Social Studies and English teacher. She holds degrees in International Affairs (BA), Secondary Social Science (MAT), and Political Management (MPS). She channels that knowledge into creating rich historical romances that bring the steam.
A Rogue at the Highland Court: An Arranged Marriage Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 4)
A runaway bride...
Allyson Elliot spent her childhood in the shadows of her five older siblings, but after surviving rumors about her parentage, she finds a new, carefree life at the Scottish Highland court. Free of suspicion, Allyson blooms into a vibrant lady-in-waiting, but an unexpected arranged marriage turns her world upside down. Desperate, Allyson becomes a runaway bride as she tries to escape her betrothal. Can Allyson fight for her freedom to choose? Is Allyson the woman to get the notorious rogue to change his ways?
More info →A Rake at the Highland Court: A Fake Engagement Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 5)
Can a lady-in-waiting resist the pressure to marry a stranger?
Cairstine Grant has spent two years carefully cultivating a reputation at court that is sure to drive away any potential suitor. Traumatized from an attack as a young woman, Cairstine is bound and determined never to marry and never to be subjected to a man’s control. She’d rather become a nun than a wife. But one obstacle stands in her way: her younger sister can’t marry the man she loves until Cairstine marries first. When Cairstine’s father refuses to consider her choice to become a nun, can Cairstine convince an unsuspecting friend to pose as her betrothed? Can she overcome the scars from her past and form a genuine partnership with a man she was never supposed to fall in love with?
More info →An Enemy at the Highland Court: An Enemies to Lovers Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 6)
A lady-in-waiting struggling to fit in….
Even after three years at Robert the Bruce’s Highland court, Cairren Kennedy still feels like an outsider. Quiet and kindhearted, Cairren has fought to make a place for herself among the queen’s ladies-in-waiting when she doesn’t look like any of the other young women. A Lowlander with a French mother, her Mediterranean heritage sets her apart both by her features and her customs. When her father hints at an arranged marriage to a Highlander, Cairren fears she’ll face more discrimination when she’s forced to make her home among strangers. Can Cairren prove that she’s more than what people assume? Can she create a new life where she’s not welcome?
More info →A Saint at the Highland Court: A Friends to Lovers Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 7)
A lady-in-waiting left behind…
Over the past two years, Blair Sutherland has watched her sister and friends marry and leave King Robert the Bruce’s royal court. Her parents have promised her a love match, but none of the couartiers who hang on the king’s coattails interest her. Just when Blair wonders if she’ll ever find the love the other ladies have found, her childhood friend, Hardwin Cameron, arrives at court in need of guidance. With more purpose to her days, Blair’s loneliness no longer weighs so heavily upon her. But while Blair offers her assistance, she finds it hard to pay attention when the boy she used to race is now a man who’s a constant distraction.
More info →A Beauty at the Highland Court: A Star-Crossed Lovers Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 8)
When the perfect lady-in-waiting isn’t so perfect…
Arabella Johnstone has been held to an impossible standard her entire life. While her beauty surpasses any of the other ladies-in-waiting at King Robert the Bruce’s royal court, the pressure to always appear perfect is growing to be too much for Lady Arabella. Scrutinized for any flaw in appearance or behavior, Arabella struggles with the unattainable expectations placed upon her by her family and those at court. When she can no longer withstand strain, she turns to a reckless, self-destructive habit to cope. Can Lady Arabella accept help when it comes from a man she longs for but can’t accept?
More info →A Sinner at the Highland Court: A Marriage of Convenience Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 9)
A disgraced former lady-in-waiting searching for redemption…
Lady Madeline MacLeod left Robert the Bruce’s royal court five years ago because of her vanity and spitefulness. Prepared to take her final vows now, a royal summons to return to the Highland court leads Madeline to a marriage of convenience. Temptation in the form of a handsome Highlander makes Madeline question whether she’ll return to the sinner she was. Will giving into her desires for her husband ruin Madeline’s path to redemption?
More info →A Hellion at the Highland Court: A Rags to Riches Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 10)
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride…
For more than a decade, Laurel Ross has been a lady-in-waiting at Robert the Bruce’s royal court, a place where money is power. Laurel is the fourth out of five daughters, and the only one unwed. While Laurel isn’t exactly a pauper, her father, the Earl of Ross, has already paid four large dowries. Sent to court to find a husband, Laurel’s once youthful hope has turned to bitterness as one friend after another marriest. Her viperous tongue has earned her the title of “hellion”. Will any man accept a bride who comes with such a small dowry?
More info →An Angel at the Highland Court: A Chaste Hero Highlander Romance (The Highland Ladies Book 11)
A laird who fears making a mistake…
Ronan Mackinnon bears the weight of leading his clan and spares no time for his own pursuits. Summoned to court by King Robert the Bruce, Ronan diligently considers each of his words and actions to represent his clan with honor. But when King Robert demands Ronan chooses a bride, he’s forced to confront his past choices. The pleasures of the flesh play no part in his life--until Abigail MacLeod enters it. Can this reserved laird prove to Abigail what he lacks in experience he makes up for in passion?
More info →A Harlot at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies Book 12)
She trusted the wrong man…
Lady Emelie Dunbar has made the gravest error an unmarried lady-in-waiting can make. The man she believes will be a bridegroom who loves, honors, and cherishes her turns out to be a duplicitous lover. Left with few choices, Emelie struggles to make a decision that will protect not only her reputation but her younger sister Blythe’s. When rescue comes from an unexpected Highlander, Emelie must decide whether she’s finally found the right man to trust. Can Emelie believe an offer that seems too good to be true? Are her instincts right this time?
More info →The Scarlet Blade of the Sea: A Steamy Close Quarters Pirate Romance (Pirates of the Isles Book 4)
Keith MacLean set sail for adventure alongside his twin Kyle when they were only boys. Forced from their homes into piracy, Keith’s reputation as the Scarlet Blade precedes him. Keith inherits the Lady Grace from the reformed pirate Rowan MacNeill and is reputed for giving his captives a choice between his sword or sea. Keith anticipates a night of pleasure when he comes ashore in a sleepy village on the Greek Isles. But a chance encounter while on land sets him on a course for unprecedented danger.
More info →Strian (Viking Glory Book 4)
Strian Eindrideson has served alongside his friends since he was old enough to swing a sword, but beneath the handsome but brutal exterior lies a wounded heart. Separated ten years earlier from the only woman he ever loved, Strian searches for his missing wife until a pair of blue eyes captures his attention during a raid in Scotland. Those blue eyes could only belong to one woman. A woman he feared was dead but always hoped he would find. Now returned to their homeland, Strian must prove that he can be the protector and partner he swore to be all those years ago.
Will love be enough to repair the damage caused by so many years apart?
Tyra & Bjorn (Viking Glory Book 3)
Tyra Vigosdottir, the shield maiden that any warrior with half a brain would fear, does not need to be coddled by any man--especially not the one who broke her heart. The only thing more irritating than an overprotective Norseman is how her mind won’t stop picturing them together. When they must travel together once more to defend their tribe, Tyra and Bjorn find it’s impossible to deny their feelings any longer. Danger awaits but so does passion.
More info →