Hello all! I know you are out there Christmas shopping this weekend so I thought to bring you a suggestion… my new release, The Refuge: An Inspirational Novel of Scotland.
It’s the inspirational version of Rebel Warrior, the story of the Scottish lass, Catrìona of the Vale of Leven, who lost her parents and her home in an attack by Northman, and Steinar of Talisand, an English warrior who fled England after the Norman Conquest--two wounded souls seeking refuge. With its beautiful cover showing the Highlands, the paperback makes a perfect Christmas gift.
Once upon a time, in a land of tall peaks and deep lochs, there was a refuge where love flourished and faith was restored…
Read an excerpt... the romance begins:
“Here,” he said reaching toward her, “take my hand and allow me to help you out.”
There was fire in her eyes but she took his hand while clutching her dripping shoes close to her body.
He pulled her from the stream, sodden and shivering. It was the first time they had touched and even dripping wet, the feel of her skin caused a surge of desire to course through him. The wet gown clung to her body, revealing her curves in vivid detail. Wet, she was even more alluring than before. He wanted to pull her close, to feel her softness, but instead, he merely steadied her with his hands. “Did you not see the moss growing on the log? ’Tis quite apparent.”
Her brow furrowed. “You might have warned me.”
Given her reckless run through the woods he wondered if she would have listened. “You fell before I could.”
She brushed the water from her face and looked up at him, her eyes the green of the forest around them. Light filtering through the trees added a soft glow to her pale, damp skin. His gaze dropped to her lips, the color of wild roses. He ached to kiss them.
Bending his head, he moved his lips closer to hers.
Water suddenly dripped from her hair onto her nose, causing her to sniff and step back.
Still holding her shoes in one hand, she shivered. “I… I must look a mess.”
“Indeed not, but you are pale.” Recognizing her predicament, he said, “I wear no cloak to offer you, but I can give you the heat of my body.” He took the shoes she carried and dropped them to the ground, pulling her into his arms, ignoring the water soaking into his tunic. Her breasts pressed into his chest, warming him as his body responded to the nearness of the woman he could not dismiss from his thoughts.
She might be innocent but she possessed a natural seductiveness that promised passion to the man who would claim her. And he wanted to be that man. Every warrior in the king’s hall had noticed the girl. Of all the queen’s ladies, she was the most talked about. They had taken to calling her the Rose of Dunfermline, a coveted prize for the man who would gain her hand.
See the book on Amazon US, Amazon UK and my Website and enter the Goodreads Giveaway to win a paperback!
I'm also giving away to one commenter her/his choice of any of my ebooks! So tell me, what do you love about a story set in Scotland of old?
I'm also giving away to one commenter her/his choice of any of my ebooks! So tell me, what do you love about a story set in Scotland of old?
Books set in Scotland have something for everyone! There's always a castle involved, bonny lasses, Scottish brogues, kilts and Highland games, Oh my!
ReplyDeleteTeri, you'd be right if you were in the 18th century but there were no kilts, no castles and no Highland games in the 11th or even later. Hence, most romances that give a scant nod to history are set later or the author fudges on the historical details. But Scotland was still a very special place, perhaps more so, in the earlier centuries. You'll see it in the Refuge!
DeleteTrdivincenzo (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteGot it!
DeleteI love reading about the history of Scotland, how they lived, struggled, succeeded, loved and conquered. Of course they had their struggles of enduring astronomical wars of defeat by the English, destroying their people, homeland, the way of life. It has always fascinated me, how they lived and endured so much. Maybe this is how I have found the romance in it. The mystery of it.My family is from Scotland.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Sherry. I have Scottish roots, too, and am very proud of them. I do hope you read my romance set in Scotland... either Rebel Warrior or The Refuge will bring you history, adventure and love.
DeleteActually I had read all of your books in this series. :)
DeleteThat is wonderful, Sherry. I'm so glad you like my stories. In 2018, I hope to begin a series set in Scotland telling of Clan Donald, beginning with Somerled. You might like that one when it gets here!
DeleteI love imagining their accent... the scenery... the castles! :)
ReplyDeletegreenshamrock atcox dotnet :)
Well, castles didn't come about until the 12th and 13th centuries and many centuries after that. And the accents would have been different than what you expect to hear today. King Malcolm and Queen Margaret though the sovereigns of Scotland spent most of their youth in England so in my story they would have sounded like the other nobles at King Edward's court. What most readers expect to hear is 18th century Highlanders' accents... found in Outlander. That was not the case with earlier centuries.
DeleteScotland was a place where the people needed to be strong and smart to survive. Clan and family were important. They provided security but could also lead to danger and heartbreak. Their survival was threatened by attacks from the northmen, the normans from the south, their fellow Scots and the very land they loved. The interplay of these factors make for interesting story possibilities. The country is beautiful both geographically and the changes/buildings man has created.
ReplyDeleteYou have painted the picture in Scotland accurately, Library Pat. I think you would enjoy The Refuge. By the way, what is your email for the drawing?
DeleteOne of my favorites is of Robert the Bruce while on the run from the English stayed in a cave plotting his next move. He watched a spider try again and again to complete its web and fail many times before it finally attached a silk thread to the cave wall. Legend says the Bruce came away from watching the spider with the realization that he would not give up his fight, just as the spider would not give up its efforts to complete the web. (Course, the truth of this story is debatable but the message behind it is inspiring.) I also love to hear the ghost stories of the many castles across Scotland. I love the story at Castle of Park where a servant falls in love with the laird. Their love is forbidden due to station but each day when they pass on the stairs, they share a loving touch. These were the first two that came to mind but there many!
ReplyDeleteHi, Lorri! Those are wonderful stories. I had heard the legend of the spider and Robert the Bruce but the other was new. Unrequited love is so sad. My story The Refuge will leave you smiling, I promise.
DeleteWhat I love about the Highland stories are the people. They had to be survivors in order to make it. But no matter how hard things got they found a way to keep their love, beliefs, traditions and magic. They were happy with the simple thing in life. They didn't need the castles or riches that the english believed brought happiness. Their happiness came from family ( clan) which we have forgotten in this time. A person's worth didn't come their pocket but from their heart. We could learn a lot from them. I haven't read the fefuge YET but if it's anywhere close to as good as the rest of Regan's books I'll be in 7th heaven....
ReplyDeleteTéssie, thank you so much for the endorsement. If you have read Rebel Warrior, you know the story. This is the inspirational version. But both will sweep you away to the Scotland of old. I do hope you like it!
DeleteWe have a winner!... Lorrie Cline. Congratulations, Lorrie, and thanks to all who commented. It was a fun discussion.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Lorrie. Enjoy.
ReplyDelete