Tempted by a Highland Moon: A Work in Progress

After three books in The Highland Moon Series, Duncan is finally getting his story! I had hoped to have "Tempted by a Highland Moon" completed before Christmas, but alas, 'tis no' meant to be!  But here's a taste of what you have to look forward to.

Kila had just finished washing her face, when her step-mother stormed into the bedchamber.

"You are in need of a new gown for the Earl's ceilidh, and there is a most reputable dressmaker in Port-na-craig." She placed several coins on the table. "See if she has a ready-made gown to your liking."

Inwardly, Kila groaned. "I have many beautiful gowns from which to choose. I'm in need of no more."

 Verona's jaw muscles tightened, as they always did when Kila argued with her. "I'll not have you embarrassing me in one of those drab things of yours. Now hurry, before you miss the mid-day meal." She turned on her heel and exited the room.

Kila looked at Wyn and blew out a long breath. Accompanied by Wyn and Fergus, she left The Blackbird Inn and stepped into the narrow street across from the dressmaker's tiny shop.

A man on horseback suddenly appeared from out of nowhere and bore down upon her. Behind her, the maid screamed, but before Kila could be trampled to death, a pair of strong arms pulled her out of harm's way and against a chest of stone.

"I'll fetch Lady Murray, m'lady," sobbed Wyn, before disappearing inside the inn.

Fergus stood nearby, his usual red face void of all color. "I dinnae see him, m'lady, until he were nigh upon ye."

"Are you well, lass? asked the Highlander who had rescued her.

"Aye," she nodded, noting how devastatingly handsome he was.

He frowned. "Are you certain?" Concern was clear in his voice.

She nodded.

"The fool," he growled, shaking his head. "How could he have no' seen you?  'Twas as if he was bent on running you down."

Her knees suddenly felt weak, and she swayed on her feet.

The Highlander must have realized her predicament, for he lifted her into his arms as if she weighed no more than a feather.

She should insist he put her down immediately, but it felt so wonderful being held in his strong arms."Might I ken your name?"

He grinned, and her heart lurched against her chest. "Duncan, Duncan MacDonnel. And your own, lass?"

"Kila Murray—Lady Kila Murray."

"Glad to be of service, Lady Kila Murray," he said with a devilish grin and a slight tilt of his head. "It appears you're staying at The Blackbird Inn as well."

"Aye, along with my step-mother and a small party."

"Then I'll see you to your bedchamber." With Fergus following close behind, Duncan pushed open the door and carried her inside, then headed for the stairs, but was interrupted by the nearby screeching of her step-mother.

"Put my step-daughter down immediately," she ordered the Highlander.

Duncan made no move to follow the woman's demand. "The lass was nigh on trampled to death, and is yet unsteady on her feet. I plan to see her to her bedchamber."

"What the man says is true, m'lady." Fergus offered. "Seen it m'self."

"Nonsense," she snorted, ignoring the guard. "Put her down, or else I'll have her taken from you."

Duncan clenched his teeth to keep from telling the blasted female to go to the devil.

Kila gently placed her hand on his arm. "Please, I dinnae wish to cause you any trouble."

He looked into her amber eyes, noting the tiny flecks of gold, and gently set her on her feet. "Then I bid you good day, my lady."

She smiled. "Much thanks."

He nodded, then headed upstairs to his bedchamber. He stretched out on the bed and crossed his arms. He would like to have spent more time with the bonnie lass, but her infernal step-mother had put a stop to that.

Obviously, the woman was unaware of how close Kila had come to being trampled to death, or else she certainly would have shown more concern for her step-daughter's welfare.

 To be honest, the whole ordeal puzzled him. The rider would have had to be blind not to have seen the lass standing there in the open. He frowned, as an icy finger trailed up his spine. Aye, something was amiss.

I hope you enjoyed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gwyn

Algae: A Pond Owners Nightmare

If you are a pond owner, like me, then you understand why algae really is a pond owners nightmare. We put in our pond twenty years ago, and I love everything about it-except the string algae. Each Summer I battle this slimy, green enemy that stops up my pump, and blankets my pond, making it look like a swamp.

This summer is no different. I don't use chemicals, even though they're supposed to be safe for water plants and fish. My outdoor cats, for some odd reason, prefer drinking out of the pond, rather than a clean bowl of fresh water. There are also squirrels, rabbits and birds that visit, so I prefer to battle this green demon as naturally as possible.

So far this year, after reading that Koi Clay works great. I ordered four pounds from Amazon. I hope it works, but I'm still waiting. I also ordered a roll of filtering material one foot by six foot, and cut it into pieces to fit my filter. It is coarse on one side and seems to be filtering out some of the dead algae, which I clean out several times a day. I also have UV lights, one in my pump and one in my above ground filter. Using a long handled flat net (I'm certain there is a name for it) I dip off as much as I can, but it sticks to the roots and fibers of my floating water plants, and the only way to remove it is to clean each and every plant. I just purchased a new liner, may have to get rid of the plants and everything, but the koi, and just start over. 

Gwyn

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

Chasing a Highland Moon: Book 3 of The Highland Moon Series

Scotland's history, foods, customs, dress, etc, are woven throughout my Highland Moon Series, and I hope I've succeeded in showing my readers a wee bit of Scotland's past.

 My new release, "Chasing a Highland Moon" book 3, is the story of  the handsome Laird of Dunvegan Castle, Cinead MacLeod, or "Cin" for short,  and Lady Claire Cameron. Claire is posing as a servant called Jenny, at Dunvegan and the attraction between the two is undeniable. Here is an excerpt from "Chasing a Highland Moon":

The following morning, balancing a stack of platters from the morning meal, Claire left the great hall and headed for the stairs leading down to the kitchen. On the landing, a movement outside the window caught her eye and she stopped to look.

Cin led his horse out of the stables, and swung onto his back, then rode out across the frosty moor. The wind whipped the horse's mane and Cin's long hair about, he and the animal seemingly one, as Cin urged him faster and faster. The sight near stole her breath away. How could she bear to never see him again? Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away.

"He's a bonny lad, to be sure," Mistress Murray said from behind Claire, startling her.

She turned around to find an odd smile on the woman's face as she looked out the window past Claire.

"Aye," she whispered, heat rising in her face at being caught spying on the laird. She hurried down the stairs with the platters.

A short while later, Claire was on her way back from taking two buckets of leavings to the midden pile near the stables, when Cin returned from his ride. He saw her, and a grin spread across his face, lifting her spirits as always.

He drew his horse up a few feet away. "Morn, Jenny."

His handsome smile was contagious. "Morn, laird," Claire said, with a smile of her own. Her gaze traveled over the horse. "He's beautiful." She took a couple of steps toward the stallion, but stopped when he whinnied and tossed his massive head.

"Gabh socair. Calm yourself." He patted the horse's thick neck. "The wee lass means you no

harm," he said, his eyes never leaving her face. "You may touch him, if you wish."

Claire stepped closer and gently stroked the horse's velvety nose. "Ye're a handsome lad, Shadowmere."

"You ken his name." The fact that she did both surprised and pleased him.

"When I first arrived here, I was near the stables when ye rode out. I asked Jamie, the stable lad, what the horse was called."

"I see," he said, watching her delicate fingers stroke the horse, aching for her touch upon his own skin. "Do you wish a ride?"

She shook her head. "Oh, I cannae, m'laird." Her eyes were bright with excitement.

"Of course you can."

"What about Mistress Murray? She will skin me alive for neglecting my duties."

"Let me handle Mistress Murray." He leaned over and held out his arms. "Grab hold of my wrists."

She did as he asked and he pulled her into the saddle. She settled her hips between his thighs, igniting a flame of desire. He slipped an arm around her small waist, and pointed the horse once again in the direction of the moor.

Jenny held onto the saddle with both hands, as they raced across the frozen ground, her laughter filling his heart to near bursting with joy.

He swallowed hard and drew her back against his chest, savoring the intoxicating feel of her in his arms. "I want to show you something." He turned the horse and they raced along the cliffs high above the sea. Cin brought Shadowmere to a stop a few feet from the edge. This was the place where he had sought solstice as a child, and still did at times. He did not know why he wanted Jenny to see it, but he did.

"Oh, Cin." His name fell from her lips in a breathless whisper, and his heart skipped a beat.

"'Tis so beautiful," she said, her gaze on the scene before her. "I could stay here for the remainder of my days and never tire of looking at the mountains and sea before me."

Her words pleased him, filled an empty place in his soul. He slipped his finger beneath her chin and tilted her face toward his, then he kissed her, kissed her in a way he had never kissed a woman—with love. Cin had finally admitted it to himself. He was in love with Jenny.

Her lips parted and he growled against her mouth. Cin tasted her, feeding a hunger that, until Jenny came along, he had not even known existed. He lifted his head and looked into her dark eyes, surprised by the play of emotion he saw there. "I care for you, Jenny, and want you more than I have ever wanted anything."

He swallowed hard, and she realized how difficult it had been for him to expose himself to her in such an open manner. Before, when he had kissed her, she had fled. This time, she would not. "Then ye shall have me," she whispered.

He kissed her again, then turned the horse toward Dunvegan. "Tonight, I will come for you." He kissed the top of her head.

They rode back in silence, but the words that hung unspoken between them spoke volumes. Tonight, I will come for you. 

I hope you've enjoyed reading about my new release!

Gwyn