Glamis Castle

Today I did a post at History Undressed about Glamis Castle, thought to be the most haunted castle in Scotland.

Edinburgh's Closes Post at Fierce Romance

Yesterday I did a post about Edinburgh's Closes at Fierce Romance.

Why I Write What I do

My friend and Scottish Highland Romance author, Vonda Sinclair, asked me to participate in this blog tour about my writing process.

What am I working on? I am currently working on "Chasing a Highland Moon," the third book in my Highland Moon series, which I hope to finish by the end of summer or before. The hero is Cinead (Cin) MacLeod, a secondary character in the second book in the series, "Once upon a Highland Moon." He is a close friend to the heros of my first two books, Kade and Galen, as well as Duncan, who will be the hero in my fourth book. Cin is Laird of Stagshead Castle on the Isle of Skye and chief of the MacLeod clan. His Viking descent is obvious in his pale blue eyes and long flaxen hair, as well  as his tall height and muscular build. He also has quite an eye for the lasses, which becomes quite a problem when the one who catches his eye happens to be a young lady posing as a servant at his castle. You see, Cin has a strict policy of hands off when it comes to his own servants. I hope readers will enjoy finding out what happens when Cin learns the truth.

How does my work differ from others in its genre? A hard question. The best way I can think to answer this is to say that my heros are intelligent, strong, brave, loyal and handsome Highland warriors and gentlemen, who will let nothing stop them from protecting and having the woman they love, even if it could cost them their own lives. My heroines are strong, dependable, independent, intelligent, and brave young women who go against the odds to get what they want, whether it be their freedom, or the man they love.

Why do I write what I do? This is an easy one. I love Scotland, its people, history, castles and breathtaking landscapes, and let us not forget, men in kilts! Of course, all my heros wear belted plaids with lots of weapons attached. I've been to Scotland and use the sights, sounds and smells from those trips to add to the flavor of my stories. And of course, I am a romantic at heart and enjoy writing about people falling in love. I especially love writing about the Highlanders and the Highlands, which is my favorite part of Scotland. I think Robert Burns summed it all up in his poem:

            "My Heart's In The Highlands."

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here;

My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;

A-chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe;

My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go.

How does your writing process work? Basically, after brainstorming, a scene pops into my head and I put it in my story where I think it might fit. Often times, a scene will be moved around several times before I'm satisfied that it is in the right place. After writing the scenes from beginning to end in a very rough draft, I go back to the beginning and flesh out the story, adding to the relationship of the hero and heroine, bringing them closer and closer throughout the story until they realize they belong together, throwing in a few obstacles here and there. After that, I go over it a couple more times, have it critiqued, then beta read before I'm finished. I do a lot of research while writing, for I want to make certain that what I'm putting in my story is accurate, whether it be the time of year a certain berry ripens, or when the gorse is in bloom.


http://www.gkbooks.net/

The Celtic Rose Blog

Today I did a post about my 2nd book in The Highland Moon Series, "Once Upon a Highland Moon" at The Celtic Rose Blog

I posted a blog today about three of Scotland's lesser known stones athttp://www.fierceromance.blogspot.com/2014/03/scotlands-stones_21.html

Fierce Romance: Scotland's Stones

fierceromance.blogspot.com

Scotland's Standing Stones

Today I posted about The Ring of Brodgar at http://fierceromance.blogspot.com/2014/03/scotlands-standing-stones.html

Fierce Romance: Scotland's Standing Stones

fierceromance.blogspot.com

My second book in The Highland Moon Series, "Once Upon a Highland Moon" is up and running!
If you enjoyed the characters in the first book, "Beneath a Highland Moon," you're certain to enjoy reading about Galen and Sorcha, as well as his friends, Cinead and Duncan in this one. I am currently working on Cinead's story, "Chasing a Highland Moon," which I hope to have finished by the end of the summer!

A preview of the cover for my next book, book 2 in The Highland Moon Series, "Once Upon a Highland Moon," coming soon!

At Fierce Romance see my post on "Words and Phrases from the Past."

         Beneath a Highland Moon

Sneak Peek Sunday

Scottish Highlands 1602::

Lightning streaked across the night sky and thunder rumbled through the mountains and glens, vibrating the floor beneath Kade's feet. He sat at the table in his bedchamber, with a half-empty bottle of whisky before him. He couldn't sleep. He needed to think. As was his way, whenever something was on his mind, he didn't rest until it'd been taken care of. In the past, his sleeplessness had lain with his duties, his family and his clan. Tonight 'twas with Jillian.

He poured himself a second dram of whisky and tossed it back. She had once again taken him over, both mind and body. After his guests, the McMinn's left, she'd been moved, and Kade had gotten his bedchamber back. But her sweet rose scent permeated his entire bed. Knowing she'd slept there, her long, blond hair spread across his pillows, her shapely legs tangled in the bed clothes, was almost more than he could bear.

Kade hadn't bedded a woman since his wife, more than two years past and now his body was telling him to do something about it. A walk might be exactly the thing he needed to clear his head. He dressed, lit a candle and stepped out into the corridor. Somewhere, a door opened and closed. He rounded the corner and almost ran into Jillian.

She gasped, nearly dropping the candle she carried. "You startled me, laird." She wore naught but a nightdress that Kade guessed belonged to his sister. Though it covered her from neck to toe, it did naught to hide her visible curves. Even in the weak light of the candles her shapely figure was evident. Jillian's hair hung loose about her face, her shoulders and her breasts. Her eyes looked wide and innocent.

Kade took a deep breath and steadied himself. Her nearness was almost overwhelming. "I see you also couldn't sleep. I hope I was not in some way the cause," he teased.

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