<![CDATA[Award-winning Author of Scottish Historical Romance

<![CDATA[Award-winning Author of Scottish Historical Romance - Bits \'n Bobs Author Blog]]>Sun, 03 May 2026 04:30:20 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[2026 Easter Egg Hunt!]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:06:50 GMThttps://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog/2026-easter-egg-hunt

Welcome to the 2026 Easter Egg hunt! I know you're here to collect eggs, so here we go. Be sure and leave a comment with your email address below to be entered into my personal giveaway (a signed copy of The Highlander's Welsh Bride for a US winner, Amazon gift card outside the US).

Carys' and Birk's story is a favorite of mine.

He’s a stubborn Highland laird who needs a wife.
She’s a fugitive Welsh princess facing the gallows.
Can he convince her marriage is the better bargain?

Carys
Carys Wen, Princess of Wales, once fought beside her husband in the struggle for Welsh independence. Now widowed and hunted, she has fled north with nothing but grief and a desperate hope to disappear. All she wants is peace—and a place far from the English king who shattered her homeland and destroyed her family.

Birk
Birk MacLean has been ordered to take a bride. But the delicate lasses paraded before him promise little more than fragile tempers and selfish ambitions. Birk needs a woman of strength—someone capable of standing beside him and helping lead one of the most powerful clans in Western Scotland. Perhaps a woman like the fierce Welsh prisoner sitting in his dungeon… arrested for poaching MacLean deer.

The Highlander’s Welsh Bride is an epic tale of honor, betrayal, passion, and the healing power of love. Along the way you’ll meet a mischievous corgi puppy named Tegan, a sweet little girl who hasn’t spoken since her mother died, pirates, and more adventure than will let you sleep at night.

If you love sweeping historical romance with strong heroines and vivid settings, you’ll love this unforgettable story from the Hardy Heroines series by Cathy & DD MacRae.

To buy it now, click on this link for this tale of love and honor at Amazon: Click Here

If you'd like to read an excerpt from The Highlander's Welsh Bride, read on. Carys has been persuaded to marry Birk, and he has decided she should change to fit his idea of a wife. At the beginning of this scene, she has killed a man whose men had been preying on the MacLean people and lands for a number of months, and she wishes to question the single person who has survived the fight. Birk has other ideas.

“I will handle this.” He growled low, for her ears only.
“Have I not earned the right to question him?”
“’Tis man’s work.” He glared at her, attempted to stare her into submission.
“So was killing this blackguard’s leader, but I killed him and two others without a man’s assistance,” she shot back.
Gripping her sword’s hilt, shoving it deep into its sheath lest she bury it in someone’s chest, Carys stormed from the room, ignoring Birk’s bark of command to return.
I will not be cosseted. I will protect what is mine, and his opinion of what is proper can go hang!
She choked back a sob. I am responsible for the attack by the pirates. They came after me. ’Twas me they sought to punish.
Anguish overrode her better instincts, keeping her from answering Birk’s orders.
Death follows ye.
But I will fight for what is mine. My children. My family. My honor.
Footsteps pounded the stone behind her as she grabbed the doorframe and whirled about, landing nearly level with Birk’s startled face. He stepped to one side, clearing the doorway. His glower returned, eyes dark, red spots of rage on his high cheek bones.
“Do ye have any idea . . .?”
“I have many ideas,” she snarled.
“Ye are my wife, and I willnae . . ..”
“Ye willnae?” she mocked. “I have had my fill of what ye will and will not allow.” She advanced, forcing him into the yard. Stunned looks followed them, and she straightened abruptly. “Follow me.”
Her march to the area between the stables and the high wall surrounding the castle settled her anger, forcing her into a place of quiet focus, her fury on full simmer. She faced Birk, hands flexing over the sword still at her belt.
He towered over her, using his height in an attempt to intimidate her.
“A woman shouldnae be responsible for leading a rout of pirates.”
She tossed her head, undaunted. “And yet, here I am. I have routed my share of them, and care not if ye do not like it.”
Birk growled. “Nae. I dinnae.”
“What did ye think ye’d get when ye married me, Birk MacLean? A warrior woman who would become a submissive simpleton who turned to needlework once I said my vows?” She shook her head at his foolishness. “I thought ye possessed a keener wit than that. Mayhap I err.”
“I expect ye to do as ye’re told—as any good soldier!” he shouted.
Carys’s laugh rolled bitterly. “What do ye fear? That I will be injured and cheat ye of an heir? ’Tis easily remedied. Another wife shouldn’t be so difficult to find.” She shrugged. “Or, mayhap ye are uncomfortable around a woman who speaks her mind—and has the skills to back up her words?”
“Ye are fearless—and foolish. A woman cannae fight against a man and win.”
Carys stepped slowly to the side, loosening her shoulders as she circled him. “Have I not proven myself? Were Colin Dubh and his followers not evidence enough?”
Birk frowned, clearly not pleased with the memory she stirred.
“Or the pirates who attacked the Seabhag? Mayhap the thieves at port when Hywel and I first signed aboard Captain Ferguson’s ship? Or Longshank’s soldiers who invaded my country and killed my family?”
She continued her steps, watching him move, angling first forward then back, forcing him to avoid her advance.
Birk braced his feet in the dirt. “Ye cannae win against me. Put away yer anger and come inside.”
“Ye doubt me? Then meet me with steel.”

Hmm. What is Birk to do?

For a chance to win a signed copy of The Highlander's Welsh Bride, comment below and tell us interests you most about this story.

And here's the Easter egg for your hunt! Have fun!

]]><![CDATA[FREE for a limited time! The Highlander's French Bride]]>Wed, 09 Jun 2021 21:41:21 GMThttps://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog/free-for-a-limited-time-the-highlanders-french-bride

Free June 9-11!
A Scottish warrior faces his worst fears in war-torn France--and discovers the one woman who can make him whole again.

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Fall in love with Melisande and Kinnon--and a fiercely protective dog named Jean Baptiste--in The Highlander's French Bride.

]]><![CDATA[Ultimate Summer Reads Extravaganza!]]>Thu, 27 May 2021 19:36:25 GMThttps://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog/ultimate-summer-reads-extravaganzaWell, the title says it all, doesn't it? Check out the lovely authors involved and the awesome prizes!
Want to enter? Read on . . .

26 of your favorite Historical Romance authors have banded together to bring you an amazing giveaway! It's all about summer fun, summer relaxation, and summer reads in this hot-as-summer exciting event! Enter for a chance to win:
Grand Prize: One (1) winner will win a Lenovo laptop!
Runner Up Prizes: Four (4) winners will receive an Amazon Gift Card worth $25
So, click on the entry link and enter to win one of these amazing prizes in the Ultimate Summer Reads Extravaganza!!!
Thank you so much for your support from your Ultimate Historical Romance Authors!
(Please see contest rules for terms and conditions. Void where prohibited)
Here's the link: http://bit.ly/UltimateSummerReadsExtravaganza
Best of luck, and enjoy a summer of reading!

]]><![CDATA[Medieval Monday First Kiss Theme Wrap-up with The Highlander's Pirate Bride by Cathy & DD MacRae]]>Mon, 17 May 2021 16:00:00 GMThttps://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog/medieval-monday-first-kiss-theme-wrap-up-with-the-highlanders-pirate-bride-by-cathy-dd-macrae

Medieval Monday
final week

Will the theft of the wrong ship land her in a hangman's noose?
Or in the arms of a Highlander?

Thank you for joining me today as we wrap up the Medieval Monday First Kiss Themed Blog Hop of 2021!

I hope you've enjoyed the snippets as they led you right up to that enticing moment when the hero and heroine take that step into intimacy.

Here's the First Kiss Scene from The Highlander's Pirate Bride...

Excerpt:

A single thud on the heavy portal announced their time in private was coming to an end.
Rona heaved a reluctant sigh. “Shall we open the door?”

Pedr shook his head. “Nae until we reach an accord. I would have ye sign yer name willingly to the contract. A reluctant or rebellious wife isnae my intention.”

Rona chewed her lip. Whether she was ready to wed or nae, she wasn’t likely to receive a better offer. A different pang tugged at her heart. She’d been so busy protecting her clan, she’d given no thought to what her heart would desire. Could marriage with Pedr MacLean be more than a clan alliance—and a way to avoid the noose? Was she foolish to wish for more?

“Even were I nae facing a hangman’s noose, my options would be between ye and the next male who is of an age to sign his name,” she pointed out. “Da willnae relent.”

Pedr spread his hands wide. “I’m nae such a bad catch, Rona. I care for my own and dinnae abuse women nor children.” His eyes twinkled. “And I’m still in possession of all of my teeth. I could show ye if ye like.”

A laugh bubbled unexpectedly in Rona’s throat. Why not wed the MacLean’s youngest son? No matter what she did, her days of striding the planks appeared over. An hour ago, the admission had embittered her toward men of all ages—especially those who claimed to only have her best interests at heart. Now? The scoundrel appealed.

“Mayhap marriage to ye would be preferable to the hangman’s noose,” she allowed, fighting the beginnings of a smile.

“Spoken like a woman who knows her own mind,” Pedr declared. “Pragmatic and insightful. Shall we seal the bargain with a kiss?”

Her smile vanished. Entering into a contract with Pedr was one thing. Allowing intimacies was another. Yet, there was no separating the two. Marriages formed alliances. Alliances grew dynasties. Children were required to inherit those dynasties.

She reined in her thoughts before they became full panic. He asked for a kiss, not a tupping on her da’s desk. Inhaling a slow breath, she composed herself and gave a nod.

“Preparing for battle, eh?” Pedr shook his head. “I’ll nae storm yer decks, cutlass in hand. I’ll nae be that sort of husband. Ye have my word. I’ve a different sort of wooing in mind.”

An exhilaration not unlike facing a storm at the bow of a ship rushed over her. She swallowed, throat suddenly dry. “This isnae going to be a peck on the cheek, then?”

His grin was pure seduction. “Nae, lass. I dinnae have pecks in mind.” He reached a hand toward her. “The first step is yers.”

“Och, thank God. For I dinnae know what the second step is.”

She took his hand and did not resist as he drew her before him. The room, boasting little more than a sullen glow of peat on the hearth, was suddenly much too warm, the walls much too close, her gown—albeit one she’d outgrown months earlier—much too tight.

Pedr closed the final distance, his cheek nesting against the top of her head. “Promise ye’ll always fight for those less fortunate than ye,” he murmured, his breath stirring her hair. “Promise ye will always tell me what ye think.”

A strangled chuckle escaped her. “Ye have naught to fear. I dinnae dissemble well. And, my heart will always be with those in need.”

“Yer sympathies, aye.” He pressed his lips to her hair, the corner of her eye, the ridge of her cheek. “Yer heart, my fair pirate, belongs to me.”

Rona swayed but held firm. It would do no good to hold him responsible for her predicament—though he didn’t have to look so pleased. She’d given her best endeavors to her duties as the Black MacNeill, she would not quail at giving like attention to her responsibilities as Pedr MacLean’s wife.

She would allow one kiss.

She awaited the rough plunder she’d witnessed from sailors and the women who met them at the ports. Pedr did not oblige.

His hands skimmed her shoulders in a languid fashion, setting up tingles that buzzed through her veins like the first swallow of a sparkling mead. His lips drifted lower to linger on the corner of her mouth. At his touch her face turned.

His lips brushed hers, soft, warm, inviting. A breath of anticipation separated them, hot, tantalizing, seductive. The tip of his tongue outlined her lips. A faint gasp fled Rona’s throat. Pedr deepened the kiss, then, when her world tilted firmly beyond her control, drew back. Her lips followed, pulling her up on her toes, hands splayed on his chest, fingers fouling the cloth of his tunic.

His arms swept about her and pulled her tight, his body rock-hard against hers. She pressed closer. A moment later, he lifted his head.

Pedr cupped her face in his palms. “Open the door, my pirate lass, and I’ll pen the appropriate words for our betrothal.”
* * *
The Highlander’s Pirate Bride
By Cathy & DD MacRae
Blurb:
As the pirate The Black MacNeill, Rona MacNeill has stolen more than one English ship to keep her clan from starving. With Yule only days away, will the theft of the wrong ship land her in a hangman’s noose? Or the arms of a Highlander?

Rona MacNeill has done everything she can to help her small, impoverished clan—except marry for money. Her luck seems to lie in stealing ships, not attracting suitors. Only days before Yule, she seeks one last ship with stores to keep her people fed over the long, harsh winter. Too bad her luck has run out.

Pedr MacLean is happy to be the younger (by three minutes) son of Baron MacLean. His days are filled with running the family’s shipping business and sailing the world. His heart belongs to the sea—or so he thinks, until one of his ships is stolen, and the woman responsible turns his world upside down.

Drawn to Rona’s strength and love of the sea, Pedr will agree to her father’s demand—information on the whereabouts of his ship in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Will Rona find herself caught between a marriage of convenience and a hangman’s noose? Or will she discover something far more compelling?

The Highlander’s Pirate Bride is the swash-buckling seventh addition to the Hardy Heroines series. If you like pirates, rags-to-riches, and swoon-worthy Highlanders, you’ll love Cathy & DD MacRae’s newest high-seas romance.

Buy link: https://www.amzn.com/dp/B08WFJFT8D

]]><![CDATA[Medieval Monday with Daryl Devore']]>Mon, 10 May 2021 06:30:00 GMThttps://www.cathymacraeauthor.com/bits-n-bobs-author-blog/medieval-monday-with-daryl-devore

Medieval Monday

week #14

This post marks the last of the blog round-robin of First Kiss snippets for Medieval Monday. I'm looking forward to next week with the wrap-up from each author with an eager eye to the next round.

Daryl Devore' joins me today with a snippet from her book The Last Dragon. You'll find my snippet from The Highlander's Pirate Bride on her blog here: https://daryldevore.blogspot.com/
Check out the other authors' links from the Medieval Romance Lovers Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1401384450126130

Don't forget to come back here next week for the final installment from The Highlander's Pirate Bride!

Read on and discover a prince. A sorceress. And a heart-breaking secret.

Snippet:
Derry stood. “Turn, please. I will remove my blouse and skirt and they can be hung to dry. My shift should dry as I sleep. Everything is wet?”
“Yes. The rain soaked through all. As this is not my horse and my things, I have no caparison to cover ye.”
As she removed her wet clothes, he moved to the mound of hay and shifted it to make a bed. She settled onto the dry, scratchy hay. Hawkyns removed his tunic and trousers, hung them next to hers then settled in the hay bed. “'Tis older hay and not sweet smelling, but 'tis dry.” He lifted handfuls of hay and placed it over her and then himself. “Lie close. Two bodies will give heat.”
* * *
See last week’s snippet on Barbara Bettis’s blog - http://www.barbarabettis.com/index.php/blog/
Follow the excerpt from the very beginning, starting with the first snippet on Daryl Devoré’s blog: https://daryldevore.blogspot.com/

Blurb:
What do dragons, knights and romance have in common? Grab a copy of multi-published author Daryl Devore’s medieval fantasy romance – The Last Dragon and discover the answer.
A sorcerer craving dominance merged with a dragon, the power overwhelmed him causing him to split into three dragons. Demora ruled thought, but was lost in time. Yidithe offered protection, shining like the light of the sun. Ayrradex craved chaos, revelling in destroying souls.
Many knights died, attempting to slay the devil beast. One knight, Prince Hawkyns, did not fear death. He’d lost everything. Away on a mission when Ayrradex attacked his father’s kingdom, Penrythe, Hawkyns returned to find his noble father – feeble and defeated. His wise mother – crazed. His beautiful wife and unborn child - dead. Only a pile of ashes remained for him to bury. He knelt before his King and vowed to slay the devil-beast or be slain.
Derry was born with powers that terrified her parents. They delivered her to a nunnery to be raised in secret. Jathe, a wise sorceress, discovered the young girl and trained her to one day use the secret hidden in her soul.
Legends spoken around campfires hinted the sole way to destroy Ayrradex was when the hearts of a knight and a golden dragon became one. But after a vicious battle with Ayrradex, the golden dragon was thought to be dead.
Can Prince Hawkyns’s bravery and Derry’s powers end the reign of the devil-beast’s terror?
* * *
Buy Links:
Amazon - ebook - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QPW4CVF
Amazon - print - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QRVJ59P
Books2read – universal link - ebook – https://books2read.com/The-Last-Dragon
Books2read –universal link – print - https://books2read.com/The-Last-Dragon-

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