Burns Night
January 25, 2023 A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns O my luve's like a red, red rose, That's newly sprung in June; O my luve's like the melodie That's sweetly played in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I; And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a' the seas gang dry. Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi' the sun: O I will love thee still, my dear, While the sands o' life shall run. And fare thee weel, my only luve, And fare thee weel awhile! And I will come again, my luve, Though it were ten thousand mile.
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Charlotte Harkness thinks there is a quiet grace and dignity among the dead. Well, as long as they’re not feeling chatty. I'm thrilled to welcome Author Mary Culler today, LAUNCH DAY for her new book, The Undertaker's Daughter. The book looks absolutely fabulous! We have all the information plus an excerpt. But I thought it might be fun to learn more about Mary first. Here's our interview. Literary You 1) Hi, Mary! What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I loved The Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Books, Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie, and Baby-Sitters Club. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? Mysteries and fantasy with romantic subplots. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I realized it very early on, when I was in second or third grade and I realized that if I didn’t like reality I could rewrite it. Awww, bravo! 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? I wrote a whole short story (I thought it was a novel) that was a historical fiction romance when I was in 6th grade, but my mother didn’t like it, so I stopped showing anyone my writing for a long time. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I like taking pain and turning it into something positive. I find that both amazing and inspiring. 6) What’s your writing space like? Space? What’s that? I have a corner of a table and my husband has made me a portable office because he’s the BEST. 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I love writing any time, anywhere. One thing that helps me crank it up is sprinting with other writers and working toward a certain word count per sprint, like 500 words in 15 minutes. 8) Congratulations on your new release! How did you come up with the idea for your book? Please tell us all about it. My Undertaker’s Daughter Series was originally a trilogy, but it’s being released as one big, fat novel. The strange thought that started it all was that someone is a serial killer’s first victim—what if the people around the crime were fast and drastic enough to stop him before he killed again? I created the character of strong-willed Charlotte Harkness, an undertaker’s daughter who hates Victorian gender constraints. When a beautiful young woman turns up at her father’s funeral parlor, she joins forces with someone else who takes her fears seriously—the victim’s brother, Dr. James Everly. James is far above her station. In Victorian times, they wouldn’t have mingled, so to solve the crime, they form a fake courtship. As clues pile up, Charlotte and James’ feelings turn real and so does the danger. 9) I realize you’ve just published a new book and I know what that takes. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting on the backburner? About twenty! But, a handful at a time! What are you working on now? I’m working on The Earl’s Christmas Contest to offer to The Wild Rose Press. Excellent! 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? I hope you have fun reading and I’d love to see you at my online book hideaway, Book Dragons! Mary, thank you for sharing your time, talent, and RELEASE DAY with us! Wishing you continued joy and success. Now let's learn a bit more about The Undertaker's Daughter. What if Jack the Ripper was stopped before he ever got started? Charlotte Harkness has (quite cheerfully) accepted that she’ll never find love. An undertaker’s daughter who reads embalming manuals and hears the dearly departed? It’s enough to make any Victorian patriarch despair. When Lavinia Everly’s corpse arrives at Harkness and Sons, Charlotte is tormented by the girl’s final memories, her death at the hands of the mysterious “Jack.” Charlotte knows she must find the killer before madness consumes her. Dr. James Everly shuns society’s rules to find out who killed his little sister. When he joins forces with the undertaker’s daughter, he never expected his new ally to be so quick-witted and beautiful. James and Charlotte agree to pose as a courting couple to continue their investigations. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan. As danger mounts, Charlotte and James race to stop “Jack” before he can strike again. Will they succeed, or become the next victims on his list? Excerpt from The Undertaker's Daughter “Do you know what it feels like when no one believes you?” “I do now. Intimately,” James chuckled bitterly. “Some people,” she paused, knowing she had to tread carefully, “think that simply because they haven’t seen a thing, it can’t be so.” “Exactly, but you have seen it!” He seized upon this point eagerly. Not so much a matter of seeing, but of hearing, she thought woefully. “I’d like to tell you something. You must promise to hear me out. I’d like you to believe me, as I believe you.” Puzzled, he nodded. “I can help you. I may have the lead that you need, something even the police don’t know.” “What? You do? How?” James leaned forward and grasped her hand, so grateful that he forgot all sense of propriety. “The man who did this to your sister? His name is Jack, and Lavinia knew him well, well enough to have seen him before that night, anyway.” “But… but this is incredible. My Lord, the name of the murderer! Oh, Miss Harkness, I cannot thank you enough. Tell me, how did you find this out?” “I heard it, Dr. Everly. From beyond the grave. Lavinia’s spirit allowed me to hear her final moments.” About the Author Bestselling author M. Culler can’t stick to just one genre. She writes fantasy, mystery, and all flavors of romance. M.Culler lives in historic Chester County, Pennsylvania, where potentially haunted battlegrounds and 18th century buildings serve as neverending inspiration. M.Culler lives for her two brilliant children (mini-bookworms), her gorgeous husband, her endlessly entertaining students, and her wonderful community. If she’s not hunched over a laptop, you’ll find her baking up a storm in the kitchen, playing board games, or watching Brit Coms. Soli Deo Gloria. Lachlann walked through the night. Vaguely, in his pain, images flashed before him that he didn’t understand, but he’d ceased being afraid of them. His breath was coming in shallow puffs. His head hurt so much that he couldn’t think clearly. And he was thirsty, so thirsty. He lost count of how many times he threw up, fainted, slept. But he was in too much pain to be still. He’d either find help or die trying. He didn’t care which. Stars were just fading as he reached the kirk. It looked different, but it had to be the kirk at St. Michael’s mount in Inbhir Nis. He was going to pass out again. Focusing on the kirk, he dragged himself through the graveyard. He’d never make it to the building. Fighting darkness, he made it to a gravestone before collapsing. At least they wouldn’t have to carry his body far to bury him. He hadn’t found Rònan to tell him he was alive, to thank him for going after him. He hadn’t been able to save Allasan and their son. He should have been there to help them, at least to be with them when they died. “I’m sorry. . .” he whispered as darkness swallowed him. Happy Medieval Monday!
You won't find that scene in Tremors Through Time. During editing, I had to make some ruthless decisions -- as writers so often have to do. It was simply taking too long for Lachlann to meet Deidre. But I like the scene, so naturally, I stashed it away for possible future use. I chose the Old High St. Stephen’s Church of Inverness to be the location of Lachlann’s modern-day collapse because it’s the oldest church in Inverness. It is believed that as early as 565 A.D., St. Columba converted a Pictish king on St. Michael’s mount, where the church now stands. In the centuries that followed, many wooden churches were erected and burned down. Even once a stone structure was in place, some parts eventually fell into ruin. We're talking centuries, after all. The oldest part of the current structure is the tower base, which dates back to the fourteenth century. The earliest document that mentions the church is a charter granted by William the Lion between 1164 and 1171. The Black Friars founded a monastery just north of the church in 1233. It continued until the Reformation (1525-1560), then fell into disuse. The Church went from ruins to repairs several times throughout the centuries. In 1746, after the Battle of Culloden, Jacobite soldiers were executed on the church grounds. When we were there last fall (2022), of course I had to visit it. I found the site to possess a haunting dignity and the location is stunning -- right on the River Ness. Sadly, while the historic building still stands and visitors are allowed on the grounds, services are no longer held there. The building is up for sale. Up for sale? For more medieval fun, be sure to visit Lady Mary Morgan. Our other medieval lady, Barbara Bettis, is having a time with her website right now. We hope she'll be back soon! May your week be a happy one with bright skies and smiles aplenty! Crescenza Calendar, c. 1475 Happy Medieval Monday! January means repairs and preparation. Did you know? Jumping down another medieval rabbit hole in my current examination of medieval calendars, I happened upon this lovely little artpiece. It's from a manuscript printed in the mid to late 1400s and that manuscript was a reprint of an agricultural manual written by Pietro de' Crescenzi between 1304 and 1309. Of course, gardener and student of the medieval period that I am, I had to learn more about this manual and the man who wrote it. Pietro de' Crescenzi was born in Bologna around 1235. He became a lawyer and judge, practicing from around 1269 to 1299. In his later years -- he died in 1320 -- his time was spent between Bologna and his country estate. During his retirement, surely inspired by his rural retreat, he compiled a work he called Ruralia commoda, also known as Liber ruralium commodorum -- Book of Rural Benefits. Frontispiece of the De agricultura in the vernacular edition of Matteo Capcasa, printed in Venice in 1495. -- Wikipedia Dedicated to King Charles II of Naples, it became the gardening manual of kings! In 1373, King Charles V of France requested that it be translated into French. It became extremely popular during the High Medieval era into the early Renaissance. Translated into many languages, it eventually became the first agricultural book in print. Henry VIII had a copy in his library. It is said that he consulted it for the design of the gardens at Whitehall (1540s). Henry VIII's copy of Ruralia Commoda, Royal Collection Trust The work is divided into twelve sections, but surprisingly (at least, I was surprised), the sections don't represent months. Each section focuses on a certain task or tasks, the last chapter being a calendar of the agricultural year. It's evidently a very interesting read, with both sage advice and wild explanations. Crescenzi studied and sorted information, some dating back to ancient times.
I can't seem to find an English version or if there even is an English version. You might disagree, but I think a copy, possibly even a modern one, would be a lovely addition to a gardening or medieval library. Daydreams... For more Medieval Monday, be sure to stop by Mary's Tavern, author Mary Morgan's beautiful blog. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! I'm delighted to welcome author Rachel Brimble. Let's learn more about her latest book Victoria and Violet, the first book in her new Royal Maids series, and get to know her a bit better. Hi, Rachel! 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? My absolute favourite author as a child was Enid Blyton and it was her Secret Seven series that inspired me to write. As I grew into my pre-teens and early teens, I devoured anything by Judy Blume and as many of the Sweet Dreams romances as I could find! 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I read so many different genres – almost everything except for Sci-fi and horror. My favourite genres are romance, romantic suspense, crime and biographies…especially of past British royalty. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? See question 1, haha! I was around eight or nine when I started writing short stories and binding them with ribbon. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep any of them – I would love to have read them now! I wrote on and off, but never wrote seriously toward publication until my youngest daughter started school full-time. My first novel was published in 2007 and I’ve had a least one novel published per year ever since. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? It was when I won my first short story competition – it was online and I came first. After that, it was my first book contract and then when I secured a multiple-book deal with Harlequin – that was a big day in my career! 5) You have an amazing website. Please tell us about what drives you and about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? Writing is a huge part of who I am and has been for many years – it is no longer a case of me choosing to write, rather that I am compelled to do it. I genuinely need to work, or I become agitated and grumpy. Ask my family! I can usually manage about 3 days without writing before my mood changes…which is why my laptop always comes on holiday with me! 6) What’s your writing space like? I am lucky enough to have my own home office these days – I started off on the kitchen table, but about five years ago I commandeered our spare bedroom for my office space. It is my haven and I love it. I have corkboards in front of me which are filled with visuals from my works in progress, a beautiful big white desk and three floor to ceiling bookshelves overflowing with research books and novels. My window looks down onto our back garden. Your office sounds dreamy! 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I suppose my favourite time of the day to actually write is late morning onwards – I am always at my desk by 8.30am but the first two hours are taken up with emails/creating social media content/completing interviews or writing blogs. I then walk our Labrador, Tyler. Once I’m back at my desk, the rest of the day is for writing. I try to finish my work day around 5.30pm. 8) Congratulations on Victoria and Violet. Won’t you tell us about a little about the book and also the series? Victoria & Violet is the first book in my new Royal Maids series – it is set in the court of a young Queen Victoria and revolves around her relationship with her housemaid, Violet. As they get to know one another, they become confidantes and allies against their overbearing mothers. However, the main event of the novel is the burgeoning romance between Violet and handsome courtier, James Greene… I plan for each book in the series to be set in the court of the succeeding monarch – so book 2 will be Edward VII’s court, book 3 George V’s and so on with a royal maid to the reigning queen consort being the focus of the romance. It all sounds absolutely wonderful! 9) I comprehend that you only recently published your latest book. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting in the wings? Indeed I do! In fact, I have just submitted book 2 in the Royal Maids series to my editor so watch this space! In addition to that, I am working on a new contemporary romance series idea and starting the research for the next Royal Maids book. 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? Yes! I would love to tell you and your readers about my First Chapter Critique service – this is my way of helping new and aspiring writers in the careers as so many published writers helped me. If any of your visitors would love to write a romance or women’s fiction novel, I’d love to help! Here’s the link for all the details: https://rachelbrimble.com/first-chapter-critique-service/ Rachel, thank you again for sharing your time and talent. Wishing you all the best! It should be a dream come true to serve the Queen of England… When Violet Parker is told she will be Queen Victoria’s personal housemaid, she cannot believe her good fortune. She finally has the chance to escape her overbearing mother, a servant to the Duchess of Kent. Violet hopes to explore who she is and what the world has to offer without her mother’s schemes overshadowing her every thought and action. Then she meets James Greene, assistant to the queen’s chief political adviser, Lord Melbourne. From entirely different backgrounds and social class, Violet and James should have neither need nor desire to speak to one another, yet through their service, their paths cross and their lives merge—as do their feelings. Only Victoria’s court is not always the place for romance, but rather secrets, scandals, and conspiracies… About the Author Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin). Her latest novel, Victoria & Violet is the first book in her new Royal Maids series with the Wild Rose Press and released 17th October 2022. Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world. To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here: https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt Oh, the gorgeousness! The sumptuousness! Happy Medieval Monday 2023! I love calendars. In our modern times, we have a vast and wonderful variety to choose from. But medieval calendars, illuminated medieval calendars? Mini-masterpieces. Plenty of them, like the Duc de Berry's Très Riches Heures, were prayerbooks, but not all. A great many did include saints' days and church feasts. Like our calendars now, many reflected the season or time of year, the "labours" of each month. While doing a bit of research for this particular post, I was surprised to note the zodiac was often included right along with the saints. In Queen Isabella's breviary (first one below), the little naked guy top left is Aquarius. Just in case you don't "hover", left to right are Isabella's Breviary, Joanna of Castile's Book of Hours, Jame's IV of Scotland's Book of Hours, and a foldable, Norwegian calendar that even notes what days are good and bad. Knowing that it was all done by hand thrills me every time. Precise work, delicate work, surely tedious at times, all done for the glory of faith, art, or - let's face it - sometimes simply for the commission.
One thing I know for sure. It would be hard to find a newly hand-drawn, illuminated calendar nowadays. Here's to you, Medieval Calendariographers! Yes, I did have to look that up! :) For more Medieval Monday, be sure to visit authors Mary Morgan and Barbara Bettis. Wishing you a wonderful 2023! I'm so proud and honored! Tremors Through Time is a winner in N.N. Light's Book Awards in the time travel romance category. Many thanks to N.N. Light's Book Heaven for their wonderful work and their support and encouragement of the writing community.
“Meddling Fae.” Alex MacFhearghuis despises the Fae. And yet he cannot resist Aine, who is half-Fae, half-human. Will it matter to him that her Fae half is royalty?
Wishes Under a Highland Star is the latest book in Mary Morgan’s Order of the Dragon Knights series. I’ve been thrilled to once again be engrossed in the splendid world she has created. The depth and detail remind me of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. There’s magic and mystery, light and darkness, devastating anguish, and hope. But unlike Tolkien’s masterpiece, her books are thoroughly, passionately romantic. Delicious. Lovely, willful Aine has accidentally caused a tear in the veil between worlds – no small thing – embroiling magnificent, broody Alex in one fiasco after another. I found myself alternately shocked, stressed out, thrilled, and then laughing, only to start all over again! I gasped several times while reading the story, I can tell you that! There’s a sprinkling of characters from the other books, links to the Dragon Knights and Fenian Warriors we adore. Brilliantly, fluidly written, the story whisks you to another place and time. The intimate scenes are genuine and gorgeous. Wishes Under a Highland Star will leave you breathless. I would give it 10 stars if I could! Mary Morgan has done it again. A Little Bit of Lust… Don’t you love the title? It’s the newest book in Shirley Goldberg’s Starting Over series, and today is its release day! I’m thrilled and honored that she’s sharing this special day with us. To celebrate, I thought it might be fun to learn a little more about her literary life and to get to know more about A Little Bit of Lust straight from her. Welcome, Shirley! Thank you for sharing launch day with us. You’re welcome. I’m thrilled to be here. Seriously. 1. Going back to the beginning, what sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I read dog and horse stories when I was little, along with Nancy Drew and books about animals, especially dinosaurs. 2.What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I read across genres. My favorites are humorous relationship books––I guess they’re called women’s fiction (even though there’s no genre called men’s fiction) although it’s a broad term. I like my stories with a heavy dab of romance but I don’t limit myself. Right now, I’m reading fellow author Marilyn Barr’s ARC Quartermaster, a spin-off of her pirate series, and Amor Towles The Lincoln Highway on audio. 3. Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I wrote and illustrated a newsletter with my best friend as a kid and started writing short stories when I was thirteen. Tried a novel in my thirties. Didn’t have a clue how to structure a book. We all know it ain’t easy, hah. 4. What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? I wrote essays and newspaper articles and began thinking seriously about writing but didn’t give up my ESL teaching job. Fortunately, I enjoyed the company of kids. 5. You have an amazing website. Please tell us about what drives you and about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I blog less often than I used to. It’s not that I have to be inspired to sit down and write, because the idea of waiting for a muse has never been my driving force. Writing is hard work. The creativity comes when we authors up the stakes or throw breadcrumbs into the story to foreshadow an event to come. It’s all about the characters. If your readers love your characters, chances are they will love your writing. By the way, I love making graphics for promotions, but I’m slow and still learning. I’m also reluctant to star in my own reels. 6. What’s your writing space like? My study has old photos and a painting I did a few years ago. My desk is a rolling table and I wish I had a better, more expensive chair. But I love my monitor, a 32 incher! 7. Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I try to write in the morning but I have to go to the gym and that breaks up my day. Which is a good thing. I couldn’t write if I didn’t exercise. When I’m working on a book, I often let the little things go, like laundry and social media. The only way I can get into the book is to immerse myself, and my study is strewn with papers and notes, a real mess. I admire writers who are better organized than I am and welcome any suggestions or comments in the organization department. 8. Congratulations on A Little Bit of Lust! Won’t you tell us about a little about the book and also the series? Starting Over is the name of the series and my characters are in their forties and fifties. They’re all starting over in life and love. That’s a simple way to put it. The books are standalone, but the characters pop up in other books for an occasional guest appearance. In Lust, the three characters, Lucy, Deon, and Phoebe are best friends and then there are…complications. Yes, love complicates everything and with the lust factor, well, things get messy. I love a happily ever after, though. A satisfactory ending is all-important in my reading and in my movie watching, although I’m also a sucker for a great tear jerker, too. Deon, the hero, is a hot harmonica player who’s based on a musician friend of mine. I love using my friends’ names for minor characters and sometimes borrow their quirks and habits. Do other authors do that? My friends don’t mind. At least they haven’t complained yet. I would think they love it. How fun -- and the story sounds riveting! 9. I comprehend that today is the launch day of your new book. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have another story waiting in the wings? Yes, how sweet of you to ask. I’m part of a series with six other authors. Each book has a magical mortar and pestle that travels through the Middle Ages to present day, causing people to fall in love. My book, Revamped, stars an energy vampire who doesn’t want to be an energy vampire––he wants out of that life. And he meets a “normal” woman. Coming in 2023. This is all so exciting for us fans! 10. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? Only that I’ve read paranormal romance, but I’ve never written it. Writing in a genre that’s unlike anything I’ve ever written in was more fun than humans should have. I’d recommend the experience of tiptoeing on the other side, however you’d define “the other side.” Both in our reading and our writing lives. Has anyone reading this column done that? I’d love to know more. I think that is excellent advice! Thank you again for sharing your time, talent, and launch day with us! Also, thank you for the sneak peak that follows. What a fabulous excerpt! I can hardly wait to read the book! Time for A Little Bit of Lust! How many second chances will she give him? Love-cynical Lucy Bernard delights in her independence. Baking, all things Instagram, the occasional special guy, and most of all hanging out with best friends Deon Goldbloom and Phoebe Karis. But when Deon kisses Lucy at the beach on a chilly afternoon, the two friends jump into a lust-filled romantic weekend. So what’s with slotting her into "ignore" status afterward? Deon Goldbloom is a widower who can’t move on after his wife's death. Is he a little crazy spending a sexy few days with Lucy and calling it the best time he’s had in four years? Yeah. Except blue Monday comes calling, and Deon isn’t ready for the guilt. Lucy wonders how a smoochy weekend turns into a friends-with-benefits disaster. And Deon wonders if he’s made the biggest mistake of his life putting Lucy on "ignore." Using all his nerdy charms, he launches a campaign to bring Lucy around. Maybe they can chart a course back to one another if Lucy will only forgive him. Excerpt “You’ve got chick flicks? Seriously?” Lucy read the movie titles aloud. “When Harry Met Sally. You’ve Got Mail. Sleepless in Seattle. Nora Ephron.” She turned to him. “So you love Nora as much as I do?” “Well, it’s more––” “An Affair to Remember. That’s romantic. Heartburn, not so much, but it’s a great movie. Who doesn’t love Meryl and Jack?” “There’s more,” he said, gesturing inside the cabinet. “Let’s watch You’ve Got Mail. I always cry at the end.” “So do I.” “You’re a man. What are you doing with romantic––” She stopped in mid-sentence. “Sorry.” “Melinda loved them, yeah. We weren’t big on vacations or fancy restaurants. She loved a plain old movie night. And men cry at the movies too, you know.” “Oh, of course.” Lucy hugged him. “You cry at the movies, that is so, so romantic.” “Sit, relax.” He knelt down. “And by the way, my lips hurt from all that good kissing. Do yours?” “Nope, because I’m tough and you’re a wuss.” Deon leaned in and kissed her a nice juicy one right when the opening credits started rolling. Halfway through the movie, when Meg Ryan was losing her bookstore, Deon paused the movie. They opened the bags to let out the oregano and basil and homemade tomato smells and prepared the plates with all the delicious Italian from Niki’s. Deon warmed the food and poured more wine, which contributed to their getting all misty-eyed at the end when Tom Hanks comes around the corner and Meg says, “I hoped it was you.” Which is what Lucy remembered her saying when she thought back on this moment. Then Deon found Arsenic and Old Lace and they took turns fast-forwarding to all the scenes with Peter Lorre and Raymond Massey. Deon did his Raymond Massey imitation, thrusting out his jaw, threatening the Cary Grant character. “Mortimer, just because you’re my brother doesn’t mean I won’t kill you.” Lucy howled and they rolled on the couch and made out a little. And then it was time for bed. Lucy’s new favorite time, since of course, she’d be staying over. About the Author Shirley Goldberg is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, Crete, and Casablanca. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting over. Her website http://midagedating.com offers a humorous look at dating in mid-life, and her friends like to guess which stories are true. A Little Bit of Lust is her third book in the series Starting Over, although all her books are standalone. Shirley’s characters all believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and she agrees. I’m thrilled and honoured to be hosting my dear friend author Mary Morgan today of all days – the launch day for her new book, Wishes Under a Highland Star. It's a brilliant, beautiful story. Congratulations, Mary! As chieftain for his clan, Alex MacFhearguis struggles with the burden of an unwanted responsibility. With the midwinter feast approaching, he flees his castle to find comfort and solitude within the forest. Yet on his quest, Alex stumbles into a world filled with magic, mysteries, and a woman with beguiling eyes who could capture his heart. When half-Fae Aine Fraser makes a powerful wish, her simple request unlocks the magic she possesses and brings forth a Highlander into her world. Though the man has lost all his memories, she finds her attraction growing for this brooding warrior with each passing day. Unable to deny her feelings, Aine risks everything when she confesses her greatest secret. Can a beauty who wished for a champion tame the beast of Leòmhann Castle? Excerpt Alex grumbled a curse and walked away. Striding with intent, he gave a curt nod in passing when Aine stepped from her safe haven. She hurried after him. “Ye are bleeding.” “Aye,” he returned, making long strides through the bailey and ignoring her concern. “The cut requires tending to. Glenna is a healer. I can take ye there,” she suggested, doing her best to keep up with him. “Nae need.” “What do ye mean?” she pressed. Alex clenched his jaw. Rory’s talk about marriage settled like a nettle’s sting. Without a clear path in front of him, he had no intention of luring any woman into his life with false hope. Especially the one who smelled like wildflowers on a spring day with enchanting eyes that beguiled him. “The wound will heal in time,” he gritted out, sweeping past a yew tree and heading toward the sounds of a nearby stream. Aine grasped his arm with a force that surprised him. “Can ye stop for a moment!” Halting his stride, he glared down at her. The look he gave her would singe the hair from any warrior or animal. “Do ye have more to say?” “Why do ye refuse aid?” she demanded, fisting her hands on her round hips. Her stubborn refusal to leave intrigued Alex. Would she flee if he challenged her? He lowered his head near hers. “Why do ye care?” Her eyes widened, and her luscious lips parted. “Because I do,” she whispered. Alex’s breathing became shallow and the air around them thick. Her pink lips begged to be kissed. Would they be as sweet as berries? Or as heady as the wine he drank last evening? An ache to take her in his arms filled him. He wrestled with the conflict—duty, honor, possession. She was pure as new-fallen snow on a crisp morn, and he no better than a rutting stag. Though his hands shook to hold her in his arms, Alex steeled his emotions and moved away from her. Ye deserve a better man, Aine. Ye are a beauty, and I am but a beast. Aine’s smile came slowly as she took a step toward him and did the unthinkable. Standing on her tiptoes, she brushed a kiss along his bearded cheek. “Is it wrong to care for ye?” Indecision plagued him as he regarded her—disbelieving, curious as to what his real fear might be. Shoving aside the conflict within, Alex grasped her around the waist. He nuzzled the spot below her ear. “Ye tempt your fate with a kiss, Aine? With a man ye do not ken?” She lifted her gaze to his—her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. “Did I tempt ye?” Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Do71DuMcO98 Meet Mary Morgan Multi award-winning paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return. Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic and Norse mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories. If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of fantasy, then travel back in time within the pages of her books. Literary You I thought I'd seize this opportunity to learn a bit about this talented author's writing life! Mary, I'm so glad you are with us today! Thank you for agreeing to this little interview! Hello, Anastasia! Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m delighted to be here on my special day. Now for your fascinating questions… 1) What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? When I was ten or eleven years old, I devoured the Nancy Drew series. I would curl up on the floor between me and sister’s beds and read how Nancy solved a mystery. This was a magical time, until my mom would come in and make me go outside for some fresh air. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? Since I write historical fantasy, specifically medieval, I’m always eager to read out of the period I’m writing in. I’m a huge fan of regency romance, historical fiction and non-fiction books, and anything on Celtic or Norse mythology. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I’ve been writing stories since I was a young girl. I’d write about daily happenings in my diaries, poems about animals, and pen plays for my siblings to perform for our parents. There’s always been a book percolating in my mind. Yet it was on my first trip to Scotland in June 2000, when I had an overwhelming desire to write stories. The Dragon Knights were created on hilltop at sunset, and the rest is magical history. Magical, indeed! 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? My first published book, Dragon Knight’s Sword. I’m an introvert, so stepping outside my comfort zone into an arena where others would read and review my book was a huge personal milestone. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I’m a constant daydreamer, Anastasia. There’s always a running story and/or characters fighting for control of a scene. As a young girl, I was told to get my ‘head out of the clouds’ and pay attention. Ha! My mom is extremely happy I chose not to listen to her and follow my daydreams. 6) What’s your writing space like? I have this lovely corner in my bedroom that overlooks the garden. I write all my stories on an antique writing desk. I’m surrounded by all my favorite reference books, crystals, stones from my travels, and nature. Perfect for me! 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? For me, my writing works best in the early afternoon to evening hours. Before any writing begins, I take three deep cleansing breaths to calm and bring in the muse. If I don’t do this little quirk, the writing doesn’t seem to flow. 8) Congratulations on your new release, Wishes Under a Highland Star. It is such a beautiful story. You amaze me. How did you come up with the idea for book? Please tell us all about it. I always wanted to give Alex MacFhearguis his story—his happy ever after. But his gruff demeanor made it difficult on finding the one woman who could stand beside him. Ironically, I was watching a children’s holiday show in December 2019, and the word misfits resonated strongly with me that evening. I dashed to my writing desk and started writing down the prologue for Wishes Under a Highland Star. And yes, the title came to me instantly. 9) I realize you’ve just published a new book and I know what that takes. But I believe you have another book in the works? Please, won’t you tell us about it, even just a little? You’re so kind to ask, Anastasia, and I’m happy to share. I’m writing Steinar’s story, the third book in The Wolves of Clan Sutherland series. Here’s a teaser: This man is known for his exceptional battles fought at sea. In his search to seek the ultimate treasure for Scotland—a prize valued by both Norse Gods and Kings—Steinar MacDougall must surrender what he treasures the most. Yesss! I confess to doing a little happy dance over here! 10) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? I’ve learned this journey of writing can be a solitary path. Yet I’ve met so many wonderful readers and author friends along the way. I feel I’ve been blessed, even with the hardships, to find readers who enjoy my stories. They are one of the main reasons why I continue to weave tales. Mary, thank you for sharing your time, talent, and this exciting day with us! You know I adore both you and The Dragon Knights! Congratulations, again! I wish you continued joy and success. For more Medieval Monday, be sure to visit Mary's Tavern and Barbara Bettis!
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