Whether he wanted one or not, Bronson was getting a wife.
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Author’s Note
I’ve been a pet owner my entire life. Until now. Due to severe pet allergy and serious time limitations, we have been relegated to fish ownership as far as pets go. Not that there’s anything wrong with fish, but they aren’t especially snuggly and I miss having a soft, furry animal hopping into my lap. I have begun to compensate for my lack of real life fur babies with alternate reality ones in my books. Like Piquette.
When I first started writing Anice’s Bargain, I knew I wanted a protective dog for the sisters and had a lot of fun delving into the history of medieval dogs. In the end, my decision came down to two breeds: the alaunt and the mastiff. Alaunts, while fierce, strong and brave, were also mercurial and without loyalty. It wasn’t unknown for them to turn on their masters and handlers. Therefore, the mastiff was the perfect choice. They were fiercely loyal and used for hunting large game, like bears. They were used as guard dogs as well, not only at home, but also in battle.
I put myself in the Earl of Werrick’s shoes and imagined that if I had 5 young daughters to protect, a frighteningly large mastiff would be the perfect option.
I had so much fun writing Piquette and absolutely fell in love with his affable personality and those heart-melting brown eyes of his. I hope everyone loves him as much as I do and that maybe in writing him, I gave another petless animal lover a few hours of fur baby joy.
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Want to learn a little more about each of the characters and the history of the Borderland Ladies? I have a history of the Borderland Ladies, character bios and free short stories on the supporting characters on my website:
Read more about the Borderland Ladies here
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my amazing beta readers who helped make this story so much more with their wonderful suggestions: Kacy Stanfield, Monika Page, Janet Barrett, Tracy Emro and Lorrie Cline. You ladies are so amazing and make my books just shine!
Thank you to Janet Kazmirski for the final read-through you always do for me and for catching all the little last minute tweaks.
Thank you to John and my wonderful minions for all the support they give me.
Thank you to Erica Monroe who saves my life time after time for doing an amazing job with edits and is always there for whatever I need. I swear, you add more years back onto my life with all the help and laughter you bring me.
And a huge thank you so much to my readers for always being so fantastically supportive and eager for my next book.
About the Author
Madeline Martin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author of Scottish set historical romance novels filled with twists and turns, adventure, steamy romance, empowered heroines and the men who are strong enough to love them.
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She lives a glitter-filled life in Jacksonville, Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions) and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. All shenanigans are detailed regularly on Twitter and on Facebook.
Also by Madeline Martin
Borderland Ladies
Marin’s Promise
Anice’s Bargain
Ella’s Desire
Catriona’s Secret
Leila’s Legacy
Highland Passions
A Ghostly Tale of Forbidden Love
The Madam’s Highlander
The Highlander’s Untamed Lady
Her Highland Destiny
Highland Passions Box Set Volume 1
Heart of the Highlands
Deception of a Highlander
Possession of a Highlander
Enchantment of a Highlander
The Mercenary Maidens
Highland Spy
Highland Ruse
Highland Wrath
Regency Novellas
Earl of Benton
Mesmerizing the Marquis
Anice's Bargain Page 27
