Strathwick, Scottish Highlands – 1597

The voices of every animal in her vicinity have pestered Deidra MacKay since she was a young child. Horses, dogs, cats, birds, rats, sheep, they all follow her and whisper their wants in her mind even though she hasn't answered them for years; not since she saw the witch hunter at work. Like others in the MacKay Clan, she is a witch. Her father has a remarkable healing ability, his body able to heal from horrible injuries. His powers allow him to heal others also. According to him, the family’s heritage came from his great-great-grandsire making a bargain with a baobhan sith, a blood witch -- those creatures that drink blood to survive.

Now a young woman, Deidra knows she must leave her family home in Strathwick to protect her loved ones. The witch hunter, Luthias Forsyth, is after her; the man she watched hammer her father’s hands to pulp when she was a child. Her stepmother tells her rumor claims family friend Stephen Ross is believed to be a baobhan sith. Crippled after an accident, Stephen has become a recluse living in a keep several days journey away. Deidra decides if baobhan sith can give powers, then they must be able to remove them, and she wants rid of hers at all costs. In the dead of night, she leaves her home to travel to Stephen’s keep. What she doesn't know is that Luthias Forsyth saw her leave and is elated he can trap her away from her family’s protection.

After Deidra realizes that Stephen is not a baobhan sith, and wants to leave, Stephen decides to travel with her, partly out of gallantry to protect her, and partly for reasons of his own. He would like to make a deal with the baobhan sith, too. His back injury had already healed wrong before Deidra’s father saw him. By then, it was too late. Stephen lives in constant pain even though he can still walk, ride, and otherwise function like a man. Deidra works at cross-purposes to him, creating some dangerous situations, especially with Luthias tracking her every step. Stephen’s pride also leads to a few misadventures. Even so, neither is prepared for the cost of a baobhan sith’s help.

Author Jen Holling combines historical romance with a vampire story in the most believable manner. Set in an era of Scottish witch burning, the witch hunter’s interrogation tactics give a chilling tone to a story that twists in unforeseen turns. MY IMMORTAL PROTECTOR is a journey full of adventure led by two very unusual characters. A story that both historical and paranormal fans are sure to enjoy.

Robin Lee