Love Those Athletic Highlanders and GIVEAWAY

My Dark Highlander by Nancy Lee Badger

When you hear the word Highlander or see it splashed across a book cover, what ideas instantly come to mind? Scotland, of course, but I bet you think of muscled warriors draped in plaid wool, or castles full of lairds or chieftains who steal pretty women from neighboring clans. Romance is part of the charm, while kidnappings, battles, swords and bagpipes make a Highland story (like mine) bring these ancient, mystical warriors to life.

I haven’t visited Scotland yet, but I have experienced the sights, sounds, and flavors of Scottish life by attending Scottish Highland games and festivals. My recent excursion to a huge gathering in New England, here in America, has given me ideas for my romance novels. My next 2nd book in the Kilted Athletes Through Time series, My Dark Highlander, includes many aspects of both modern and ancients Scottish Highland games and festivals.

Carrying a notebook and my trusty camera, I snapped various photos. The New England games are so popular, this year Thor Bjornsson, ‘The Mountain’ from Game of Thrones, participated in the heavy athletic events!

To give you a taste of how I incorporate what I hear and see at the games, please enjoy this short excerpt, which depicts a moment when my heroine, veterinarian Jenny Morgan joins her friends.

Excerpt from My Dark Highlander:

Jenny shook her head, but was relieved. Danger averted. There was no need to share her recent time travel adventure with her friend.

Not until I’m sure it really happened.

“Rae, are you competing soon? I promised to help Dorcas with her tent.”

He managed to divert his attention from Denise, back to her. “I entered what they call the sheath toss, though where I hail from, ‘tis called a sheaf toss.”

“Really?” Denise stepped closer, “And what kind of a sport is that?”

Rae crossed his hands behind his back, stretching the cotton T-shirt tighter across his chest. The cad.

He knows he looks good.

“Several kilted men and women, if ye can believe that, will toss a burlap sack of straw over a high bar, using a pitchfork.”

“That doesn’t sound too hard, and I hope a woman wins,” Denise said.

Rae grimaced. “The program, a lightweight book of printed pages with paintings, says the sack weighs twenty pounds.”

“Sounds light, doesn’t it,” Jenny added, “but I heard that they will keep raising the bar far above the competitors’ heads, until only one person can make it over without hitting the bar.”

“Can you win?” Denise asked Rae, completely ignoring Jenny.

“Aye. I be quite talented in…many things.”

Denise slapped his forearm, and laughed. “We’ll watch for you. Buy you a drink, if you win.”

“Good luck. We’ll wait for you near the bleachers,” Jenny added.

His brow furrowed, so Jenny pointed to the set of raised aluminum seats, near the Information Tent. When he nodded, she latched on to Denise’s wrist and headed away.

“I need a drink. You?” her friend said.

This was only one example of athletic events held at Highland games and festivals. Enjoy the photos, as well!

My Dark Highlander Book blurb

Stranded in 1603 Scotland, veterinarian Jenny Morgan is eager to get home to New England. Hiding her ability to read auras, a powerful witch comes to her aid. All Jenny will miss is the man who stole her heart, one dark night. 

Laird Gavin Sinclair has a missing brother, a murderous father, and a dark-eyed beauty on his mind. When Jenny returns to a dangerous future, he sets aside his obligations and searches for her at the New England Highland Games. Jealousy and lust ravage his dark soul, until he and Jenny fight evil together.

Where can readers buy your book?

My Dark Highlander

Amazon ebook

Nook

Smashwords

All Romance

Amazon Print

Print ISBN 13: 978-1502558558

More About Nancy Lee Badger

She loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, she moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Area Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers.  She and her family volunteer every year under the Information Tent at the New Hampshire Highland Games.

Connect with Nancy:

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My Birthday is this month so

My gift to your readers…

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My Lady Highlander

Book #1 in the Kilted Athletes Through Time series

This LINK is good through Nov. 22^nd

GIVEAWAY!

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Nancy Lee Badger's Time-Traveling Highlanders + Book Giveaway!

Please welcome our guest today, Nancy Lee Badger!

Nancy Lee Badger loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of dirks and broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, Nancy moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers and also writes as Nancy Lennea.

Q: Welcome, Nancy! Please tell us about your latest release.

A: My latest release is My Banished Highlander (Sept. 1, 2012) and is Book #2 in the Highland Games Through Time series. Kilts, castles, Highlanders, time travel, and romance.

Q: What is the story behind the story?

A: My family and I have volunteered for many years at the New Hampshire Highland Games. In fact, we recently returned from this year’s festival with photos, ideas, and great memories that I will use in upcoming books in the series.

Q: I love Highland Games! How did your story’s setting impact your plot or characters?

A:  In this book and its predecessor, My Honorable Highlander, I set the present-day portions at the fictitious New England Games. I use ideas I have picked up from visiting several games from Maine to Georgia, and added portions of each into my story line. I chose the time period around 1600 in ancient Scotland for my stories as many things threatened the Highland clans around that time. Politics are a b*tch no matter where or when you live, I guess.

Q: How do you choose names for your characters?

A: Most of the time, names pop into my head. I make sure to search their origins on internet ‘names’ sites, and I also have a book on baby names. Attending Scottish Games means that I have met thousands of people with interesting Scottish first names as well as their clan names.  My first and second books dwell mainly on the Gunn, Mackenzie, and Keith clans. My husband is a descendant of the Gunn Clan, who once fought the other two clans. Research has given me great ideas.

Q: Did you choose the title of your book and if so how did you do it?

A: The first book changed names four times. I knew I wanted ‘Highlander’ as part of the name. I feel this gives a reader an instant idea of the book’s setting. My first book’s hero was an honorable man who planned to give up his freedom by marrying the niece of an enemy in the name of peace. When he met my heroine, his honorable thoughts were tested again and again! The hero in Book #2 is less than honorable. Cameron is accused of treason, kidnapping, and causing the death of a clansman. Forced to make his way in a future world, Iona literally stumbles into his arms.

Q: Which element of this story was the hardest for you?

A: The hardest part was knowing my hero was destined to feel pain…physical and emotional. Sorry, but it was the only way to get through to Cameron that he was lusting over the wrong woman. Too bad he almost died in the process. Thankfully, my heroine, Iona, knows how to use a spell book.

Q: Please tell us about your other books.

A: I started out selling two very different books to different publishers who released them at the same time! Secret Love Match (Red Rose Publishing June 2010) is a contemporary romance set in New York City and Baltimore. Dragon’s Curse (Whispers Publishing June 2010) is a Scottish historical paranormal set mainly on an island off the west coast of Scotland. Each was fun to write and were written simply because an idea popped into my head, and off I went. Since then, I have released 9 books, 4 of which I have self-published.

Q: Please describe your journey to publication.

A: Exciting, scary, hopeful, stressful-but a good stress, more like “Am I doing everything I can to release the best book possible?” As an older woman, whose children have left the nest, I was able to plan my ‘retirement’ from the workforce and write full time. It has not been easy, but my family is very supportive. It is much easier to keep reaching for your goal with cheerleaders on the sidelines!

Q: What do you wish you’d known before becoming published?

A  I soon realized that the money does not fall into your lap. Time is the culprit. Editors, covers, promotions all take time. Time is a reoccurring theme when it comes to royalties and, after 4 years of striving to be a published author (and two years since that first book showed up on a publisher’s website) I am seeing some money trickle in. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who agreed I should quit my stressful job as a 911 Dispatcher to do what I love.

Q: What’s next for you?

A:  Funny you should ask. I recently volunteered at the huge New Hampshire Highland Games and attended the Georgia RWA Moonlight & Magnolias Writers Conference in Atlanta. Next week I am heading to the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Georgia. Using research, photos, and ideas from the games and from spending time with other authors, I am well on my way to writing my next book in the series, My Reluctant Highlander.

Q: Would you like to ask readers a question?

A: Yes, and I would like to offer a prize to a reader who leaves a comment with an answer to this question: “What Scottish first name do you recommend for a hero who is of Scottish descent, lives in present day New England, is very wealthy in the business world, but spends weekends competing as an athlete at Highland Games?”

The winner will have a choice of an e-book of either My Honorable Highlander or My Banished Highlander. (Please remember to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.) One of the names may show up in the next book!

EXCERPT

Cameron smiled, and everyone clapped. He and Iona walked hand in hand to the grand table on the dais. Food and drink appeared as if by magic and a bagpiper played a gay tune. Haven and Kirk disappeared up the stairs, while Fia sat on Marcus’ lap. Her color was still too pale until Marcus dropped a gentle kiss on her lips. Her cheeks pinked, and she looked one-hundred percent better.

Iona inhaled the scent of tallow candles, roast venison, and the sweetness of cider. Her stomach was in knots, so she nibbled off their shared trencher while Cameron spoke to old Dorcas. Skye sat alone in the corner and Iona thought she probably missed sparring with Jake.

A feeling of dread hovered, a feeling she wanted to ignore. Cameron picked at his food, then rubbed his abdomen. Was he revisiting the horror when the sorcerer stabbed him? Perspiration beaded on his forehead, and his skin paled.

“Cammie, are you sick?”

“Aye, something is not right and…” His voice trailed away, and he slumped over the table. His tankard went flying and Iona jumped to her feet.

“Cammie!”

Wow what a cliffhanger, Nancy! Great excerpt!

Everyone, please visit Nancy online at her

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You will find My Banished Highlander at:

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Thanks so much, Nancy, for being our guest today! 

History of the Caber Toss

The hero of my latest release, Kilted Lover, tosses cabers at the Scottish Games. I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the history of the caber toss and see why it was invented.

But first, what is the caber toss? It is a heavy athletic event at Highland/Scottish Games. A caber is a 15 - 23 feet long log, usually peeled, weighing between 70 and 200 pounds (depending on who you ask, and the type of tree). The athlete squats with his feet flat on the ground and wedges the caber between his shoulder and neck, pushes upward with his hands, and lifts it slightly, just enough to slide his interlocked hands beneath the smaller end. (During the event, no one can assist him in lifting it.) Then, with the caber resting against his shoulder, he lifts and stands upright. He must balance the log in the air. Remember, the heavier, larger end of the log is up, so he may stagger around a bit until it is balanced. He takes a short run forward and flips the log in the air. He must make the large end hit the ground and the small end flip over and land straight ahead, away from him. This is an event of accuracy rather than distance, so it doesn't matter how far he throws it. For the best score, the small end of the caber needs to land at the 12 o'clock position, straight out from the thrower.

Caber tossing, also called turning the caber, or the "tossing (or casting) of ye barr" was first recorded as an athletic event in Scotland at a 1574 "wappinschawes" (weapon-showings) which were sporting contests of strength, agility and speed which related to military prowess.

As for the history of caber tossing... Round Hill Highland Games website says: "The history of the caber is elusive. The term 'caber' derives from the Gaelic word "cabar" or "kaber" which refers to a rafter or beam. The most prominent legend surrounding the origin of the caber toss is that of breaching barriers or crossing streams during wartime. In the Scottish highlands, you often have freezing-cold streams that you need to cross. During battle, the caber was tossed from one side of the stream to the other to quickly make a bridge, allowing fellow Scotsmen to cross and continue on to chase rival clans. This is why the caber is tossed for accuracy, rather than distance."

This makes perfect sense. Scotland is a very wet place, with many lochs, bogs and streams. It would take lots of practice and great skill to put the caber exactly where it needed to be, across the stream, and not in the stream where it might float away.




Now, to change the subject slightly, I'm thrilled that the book video for Kilted Lover placed first in the You Gotta Read Video contest! Thanks again to everyone who voted!



Check it out!
Chapter 1 excerpt where the hero, Scott, tosses the caber.
Thanks!
Nicole

Highland Games

I went to a local Highland Games on Saturday and I'm sharing some of the pics.

There are always lots of great pipes and drums bands.

New this year. Highland cows!! I love them. They're so cute with the long shaggy hair.

An adorable miniature goat masquerading as a dog.

The local warriors with their swords.

Caber tossing! I must watch for research purposes. The hero of my latest release, Kilted Lover, tosses cabers as a hobby.

Thanks for checking out my pics!!

Nicole North

Kilted Lover & What is Caber Tossing??

I'm thrilled to say I've sold my third erotic romance novella to Red Sage! This is a fun contemporary with a touch of paranormal called Kilted Lover. This story was inspired by the Highland Games (or Scottish Games) and begins at such an event. The hero has an interesting hobby--he tosses the caber.

Here's a blurb of Kilted Lover: When kilted caber-tosser Scott MacPherson tosses Leslie Livingston over his shoulder to rescue her from two armed thieves trying to steal her priceless amulet, they are thrust into a deadly but sexy adventure. Though Leslie already has a lukewarm, uninterested boyfriend, her attraction to Scott is white-hot and undeniable. She wants to lick this tall, muscular alpha male all over and explore the depths of eroticism with him. But will he want anything more than one night once the danger is behind them?

If you haven't been to Highland Games you may not know what 'tossing the caber' means, so I have some video clips below.







How not to toss a caber!



In other news, I've just finished making corrections to the galley of Devil in a Kilt which will be part of the Red Sage anthology Secrets Volume 27, out July 09. Woohoo! Yes, I enjoyed it. How twisted is that? :-)
Nicole North
www.nicolenorth.com

Highland Games & Kilt Competition

A special Thanks to all the US Veterans out there!!! I so appreciate your service and all you've done for our country.

Last weekend I went with a friend to a nearby Highland Games in NC. Here we see all the important flags, those of the US and Scotland. One reason I love Highland Games is they inspire story ideas for me and... I love all the kilts of course. Caber tossing is one of my favorite events. I don't see how these guys pick up and throw the equivalent of a small telephone pole.

How is the caber toss done?
"A long tapered pine pole or log is stood upright and hoisted by the competitor who balances it vertically holding the smaller end in his hands (see photo). Then the competitor runs forward attempting to toss it in such a way that it turns end over end with the upper (larger) end striking the ground first. The smaller end that was originally held by the athlete then hits the ground in the 12 o'clock position measured relative to the direction of the run. If successful, the athlete is said to have turned the caber. Cabers vary greatly in length, weight, taper, and balance, all of which affect the degree of difficulty in making a successful toss. Competitors are judged on how closely their throws approximate the ideal 12 o'clock toss on an imaginary clock. "
~Info from Wikipedia.com

This is another event, the Weight over the Bar. "Also known as weight for height. The athletes attempt to toss a 56 pound (4 stone) weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using only one hand. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. The competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses being used to break tie scores. " Info from Wikipedia.com

Sheep herding or Herding Dog Trials. This shows the trainer's and dog's skills.

Two live bands, dressed in kilts, played a blend of modern rock and traditional Scottish or Celtic music. Coyote Run (pictured) and The Hooligans.

Kilt Competition

You know how I love men in kilts, right? So here I was at the Games snapping pics of all kinds of unsuspecting men in kilts. I keep their faces and identities hidden. But I think they're used to being stared at and, at times, lusted after. :-) They even have a competition at the Highland Games called Bonny Knees, where men enter and judges decide who has the most attractive knees. Wish I could be a judge! We won't call ours Bonny Knees because I see very few knees here.

Which do you think is the best looking kilt?
1.

2.a & 2b(red)

3.

4.

5

6.