Bits 'n Bobs Author Blog
9/29/2014 0 Comments Medieval Monday#medievalmonday Today on Medieval Monday I am hosting the first book in The Highlander's Bride series, The Highlander's Accidental Bride.. Set in the Scottish Highlands in 1375, it began with a feud, a royal order, and a kidnapping. Cover blurb: Chaos reigns between the Scott and Barde clans in 14th century Scotland. To end the generations-long feud, King Robert II of Scotland decrees Eaden, Laird Scott, and Lady Miriam Barde wed with all haste. When marriage negotiations break down, King Robert threatens Eaden with the loss of his lands and title. Forced to take matters into his own hands, the laird kidnaps his bride, only to find the young woman he mistakenly drags to his marriage bed is not Laird Barde’s daughter, but her lady companion. Mary Marsh fights for her freedom from the laird and the unwanted marriage, refusing to accept her new life as Lady Scott. Realizing his error, Laird Scott develops an attachment to the feisty young woman he has accidentally married. Can he win her heart and convince her she is more than just a ‘duty’ to him? Or will the bond forged between the lady’s companion and the laird be destroyed by secrets and the feud that will not be laid to rest? * * * Excerpt: King Robert sighed. “So ye married the wrong lass and she wants to go home,” he summarized with a frown. “Aye.” “And the Lady Miriam has run off and married Du Melville’s youngest son, leaving us without an alliance between yer clans?” “Aye.” “I thought ye had this well in hand,” King Robert groused. Eaden, fully aware the king was no more pleased to sort this mess out than he was, silently cursed all stubborn men and women who couldn’t simply do as they were told. Of course, he had to admit his assessment probably included the majority of King Robert’s subjects. “So. Will ye let her go back to Bellecourt?” “Nay,” Eaden replied evenly. King Robert straightened from his resigned slouch in his chair and stared at Eaden, amusement lighting his eyes. “If I remember correctly, ye were no’ happy with the marriage to begin with. I am to assume ye’ve changed yer mind, then?” Eaden narrowed his eyes but did not answer. “She’s uncommonly beautiful, perhaps?” King Robert prompted. Eaden refused to respond. “Passably good-looking, then?” Eaden took a deep, fortifying breath. “She’s aye lovely,” he allowed. “She’s knocked ye on yer arse!” King Robert exclaimed with accuracy and triumphant humor. The look Eaden gave his king was anything but humorous, but the king continued, undeterred. “So ye mean to keep her.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “And she wants to leave.” He cocked his head to one side. “And yer well-known charm that had ladies vying for the title of ‘wife’ of this handsome, wealthy earl, who may or may no’ have his lands at the end of this day, isnae working?” Eaden ignored the threat, but his scowl must have given the king the answer he sought. “So, if the lass doesnae want wealth, or prestige, or the much-touted delights of yer bed—what does she want?” Eaden’s face turned dark and foreboding as he gritted out the truth. “A divorce.” * * * The Highlander's Accidental Bride is available from Amazon. Find Cathy MacRae on facebook, Twitter @CMacRaeAuthor and watch for upcoming books and fun stuff on her blogs at cathymacraeauthor.com
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9/23/2014 6 Comments Teaser TuesdayWhile The Highlander's Tempestuous Bride is with my editor, I thought I'd share a few insights on what I have been working on. So, here is a portion of the cover and a tidbit from the book. Let me know what you think!
9/8/2014 0 Comments Medieval MondaysBeginning today, I will be co-hosting Medieval Mondays with other Medieval romance authors. This means you can get a peek at new authors and find out about upcoming books from authors you already love. Be sure to check in each Monday! So, let's start with my latest novel, The Highlander's Reluctant Bride. The setting is 1377 and King Robert II is on the throne of Scotland. Though relatively quiet at this point in his reign, the time is still fraught with peril from pirates roaming the western coastline and the English control of much of the Lothians and the border lands to the south. In the first book of the series, The Highlander's Accidental Bride, King Robert demands the end of a feud between two Highland clans. Though he allows his southern earls to engage in activities to regain their lands from the English, he has less tolerance for Highland clan feuds- especially when they are continually brought to his notice. In The Highlander's Reluctant Bride, the king responds to a plea for help against the pirates. Book cover blurb, The Highlander's Reluctant Bride: Determined to keep the Macrory clan’s holdings out of the clutches of marauding pirates, King Robert II sends his man, Lord Ranald Scott, to hold Scaurness Castle. There, Laird Macrory lays dying, awaiting word from his son who is missing on the battlefields of France. If the son is not found before the old laird dies, Ranald will take over as laird—and marry Laird Macrory’s headstrong daughter. Lady Caitriona sees no reason she cannot rule the clan in her brother’s stead, and is bitterly disappointed with the king’s decision to send a man to oversee the castle and people. Not only is Ranald Scott only distantly related to the Macrory clan, but he was her childhood nemesis. She has little trust or like for him. Her disappointment turns to panic when the king’s plan is completely revealed and she realizes she must wed Ranald. Pirates, treachery, and a 4-year-old girl stand between her and Ranald’s chance at happiness. What will it take for them to learn to trust each other and find the love they both deserve? * * * Excerpt: “So, the king forced Eaden to wed,” she murmured. Her gaze caught Ranald’s. “What will he do to me?” Ranald noted Riona’s sudden pallor, her gray eyes widening until they were naught but huge silver orbs glowing against her skin. Now was as good a time as any to tell her what King Robert intended for her, but he could not force the words. “Ye are a laird’s daughter,” he reminded her. “And an heiress. Yer mother’s dower lands north of here are of great value to the king.” “And I am of little worth, aye?” Riona flared. “Nae. Ye are of great worth.” “But a pawn to the king.” Ranald sighed. This was not going as he planned. “We are all pawns in one way or another, Ree. The king willnae let ye stay on yer own. Ye are a ward of the crown, now.” “So, he’ll marry me off to some rebellious laird he wants to drag over to his side, using me and my lands to hold him?” “Nae. No’ so bad as all that.” “Mayhap to a wealthy laird who’s all but doddering in his cups, hoping I’ll no’ breed an heir before he dies, giving title of the land to the king and my next husband?” Ranald lifted an eyebrow. The lass was getting worked up over nothing. “Marriage, yes. Doddering auld man, no.” Riona snapped her head to one side, a glower on her face. “Then, who?” Ranald swallowed and offered a crooked smile. “Me.” * * * Amazon Buy Link: www.amzn.com/B00J1PNPPC/ Please visit with me on my website: www.cathymacraeauthor.com or on facebook_ Cathy MacRae or Cathy MacRae Author cathymacrae@cathymacraeauthor.com I love to hear from readers! Thanks for checking out this new series of posts! What is your favorite Medieval place/time? 7/18/2014 2 Comments The End! What a feeling!I just typed 'The End' on Gilda and Ryan's story! Hooray! Well, it was at 1:30 this morning, but I wasn't in the mental frame to post about it just then. :-) It will go next to my critique partners for a beta read, then to my editor to begin the next step in the process.
To celebrate, here is a preview of the day Ryan and Gilda meet. A storm has blown up and they take refuge in a nearby cave. 7/5/2014 24 Comments Ebook Giveaway on my blog!We're in the middle of a long, fun weekend, so I thought I'd add a bit of excitement. Leave a comment below telling me your favorite thing about the Fourth of July (or any long weekend). Two lucky commenters will win an ebook (Kindle format) of their choice of one of the featured books! Giveaway ends Monday morning, July 7, 8:00 CST. Winners will be posted later that day. I hope everyone is having a great weekend! |
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