Book Four: "Tempted by a Highland Moon"

I'd like to tell you a bit about the fourth book in my Highland Moon Series,"Tempted by a Highland Moon." Those of you who have already read the first three books have more than likely guessed that this one is Duncan's story. Since the book is a work in progress, I don't yet have a cover, but I can certainly tell you a few things about him.
Duncan MacDonell is quite a handsome Highlander, with dark brown hair, and compelling brown eyes. He is taller than most men, and he loves to eat, but carries nothing on his muscular frame but solid muscle. And as his best friends, Kade, Galen, and Cin will tell you, they can always count on Duncan in a fight.
Kalie, the beautiful dark-haired heroine, and Duncan, meet when he saves her from being trampled by a horse and rider. Later he is asked by the earl, his sister's husband, to escort her into the Highlands to the castle of her betrothed. Along the way, an intense attraction developes between the two that neither of them can deny.
Here is an excerpt from "Tempted by a Highland Moon:"

Kalie smiled. "Once again you have come to my aid. Much thanks."

Duncan's heart danced in his chest, as he busied himself with the saddle. "You are most welcome, my lady. Come, we must go." He lifted her onto the horse, the heat of her skin burning his hands through the thin smock. He blew out a breath, then swung up behind her, wrapping his plaid about them both.

After a few minutes, her shivering ceased, and she settled back against his chest, deep in slumber. Her womanly hips pressed between his thighs were causing Duncan a great deal of discomfort. He groaned, then shifted her in his arms. No use. He would just have to bear it.

Kalie opened her eyes and blinked. Duncan's arm was wrapped about her waist, and the appealing warmth of his muscular body clung to her like a thick blanket. She should let him ken she was awake, but then he would release her, and she didnae wish him to. Not yet. She breathed in his male scent, listened to the beat of his heart, the song he was softly humming,  realizing she would never want any man but him. But that could never be, for she was already betrothed. She swallowed back her emotion, and blinked away her tears

I hope you enjoyed hearing about Duncan's and Kalie's story!

Gwyn

My Scottish Themed Office

I don't know about you, but I love doing anything crafty! Recently, I tried my hand at creating a fabric covered magnetic board using an old picture frame. Since I had a portion of the metal sheet left over, I found another frame, spray painted it black to match the first one, and used cork that had been sitting around my house for years to make the other half into a cork board.

What you will need:

1. Frame
2. Fabric (Make certain it is not too thick or the magnetic tape will not attach to the metal properly. The thinner the better)
3. Masking Tape (Used to secure the fabric around the sheet of metal)
4. Magnetic Tape (Cut, peel and attach to back of photos or post cards)
5. I used a pair of heavy grade kitchen scissors to cut the metal to size, but be careful not to get cut.

Step 1: Use the cardboard backing on the frame as a template to cut the metal to size.
Step 2: Press the fabric, then use the cardboard backing again as a template, but this time cut at least three inches larger all the way around.
Step 3: Place the metal sheeting in the center of the fabric and use masking tape to attach the fabric to the metal. Keep fabric tight, and if using plaid, make sure the lines are straight.
Step 4: Place fabric side down into frame, then the cardboard backing, using the tabs on the frame to secure.
Step 5: Hang, add magnetic tape to back of photos, then attach to fabric.

It's that simple! Use the same process for the magnetic and cork board. I used double sided tape to secure the cork sheet to the cardboard backing.

Metal Sheet: Purchased at Lowes

Adorable Nessie Pins for Cork Board
Purchased Online

       

Masking Tape: Use to Secure Material
to Meta

Magnetic Tape: Cut to Size and Place
 on Back of Photo
Purchased at Lowes

A Gift from my Sister! She knows
what I like!

Purchased 1610 Map Reproduction and wool
throw in Scotland
Tartan clad bear at Franklin, North Carolina
Scottish Festival

I hope you've enjoyed the post and the photos! If you have any questions about the project, please email me at gbrodieauthor@gmail.com

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

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.

Winning the Highlander's Heart & Interview w/ Terry Spear

Today I'm chatting with my friend and critique partner, Terry Spear, about her first print book, a sensual and adventurous Scottish medieval historical romance. It's also available as an ebook.

Vonda: Please tell us about Winning the Highlander's Heart.

Terry: Deceit, Intrigue, Romance in Medieval Scotland and England during the reign of King Henry I.

Determined to avoid King Henry I's randy advances, Lady Anice of Brecken attempts escape, wishing to find a Highlander to escort her home to her castle in Glen Affric where she will rule until she can find a laird worthy of her hand. Laird Malcolm MacNeill desires an English bride to improve his standing with those in power. But rescuing the Scottish lass from an escape attempt casts him into deadly political intrigue when the king sends Malcolm and his brothers to escort the lady home and investigate the disappearance of some of her staff. Now he must protect the king's ward without losing his heart to the willful lass, or he could very well earn His Majesty's wrath...and lose far more.

VS: Do you have an unusual writing quirk?

TS: Hmm, if this means as far as the actual writing goes, I always have subtle humor in my writing no matter how suspenseful. If this means when I'm writing, then, no, not really. Sometimes I listen to music, and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I write by hand in bed at night, and other times I write on the computer during the day. I spend most days writing, revising, promoting, or thinking about scenes. I start early in the morning, and work until I go to bed. I set goals for myself every day...complete so much, write a new scene, revise all I can on a certain mss, get one sent out. If I have a daily goal, it helps me to keep writing and not get sidetracked as much.

VS: Please describe your journey to publication.

TS: I wrote, read on writing, went to workshops, revised, learned what editors wanted, queried, was rejected, revised, queried again, was rejected, revised, queried again, and the process was continued until I sold. Everyone wants to sell that first mss and make a million dollars, have it turned into a movie, etc, etc, etc, but in reality, very few make it that big, first time out. And when you don't, you learn your craft, you learn to make it the best it can be, and when you finally sell, you appreciate the effort all the more. :)

VS: What was the most important thing you learned (the thing that made all the difference) just before you made your first sale?

TS: When there's an opportunity to submit to a new market, take a chance. Oftentimes you can get your foot in the door, send more material, sometimes a full when a new market is just opening up. That's how I sold both of my Young Adults.

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

TS: More about the distribution of titles for different publishers. All are not created equally. :) Some publishers have very limited distribution so the author has to do the bulk of the selling.

Thank you, Terry, for being a guest and telling us about your writing! Please visit Terry's website at www.terryspear.com to read excerpts and reviews.