Get Lost in the Highlands!

Folks, please help me welcome a friend of mine who also write Scottish stories! Although, Vonda’s stories take place a few centuries earlier than mine. Let’s get to know Vonda Sinclair!

 WHO IS VONDA?

Vonda Sinclair’s favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. Her historical romances have won an EPIC Award and a National Readers' Choice Award. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story.

STOLEN BY A HIGHLAND ROGUE (HIGHLAND ADVENTURE 8)

When Chief Dugald MacKerrick's ancient and priceless jeweled dagger is stolen, he follows the suspected thief and abducts his young wife to use as leverage to get his dagger back. During his mad dash back into the Highlands, he is incensed to realize he's attracted to his beautiful captive who is more trouble than she's worth. To his further annoyance, this blond Frenchwoman isn't who he thinks she is. She's Camille Bouchard, cousin of the Countess of Draughon, and has no connection to the thief. But maybe the real prize isn't the dagger at all, but the lass.

Camille isn't sure she wants to be rescued from the Highland rogue who has kidnapped her. She likes his bold, take-charge attitude and his determination to reclaim his dagger. Much to her dismay, after a few stolen moments of passion, she finds herself falling for the kilted devil. But Dugald's destiny as chief is to marry the daughter of another chief, not the illegitimate daughter of a Frenchman. How can she possibly give him up once this adventure is over?

FIND VONDA:

Website
Newsletter
Amazon Author Page 
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Group Blog
 
AND NOW…

ALEXA: How often to you get lost in a story?

VONDA: I would love to read a lot more than I do but unfortunately there's not always time for that. I have a lot of responsibilities and things that keep me busy outside of writing so I try to spend as much free time as possible writing. Of course, reading inspires me to want to write more so I have to fit a little in a few times per week.

ALEXA: What’s your favorite “love” word?

VONDA: Love is my favorite "love" word. :) It's the most powerful force in the universe and the reason I write romance.

ALEXA: What’s your favorite movie of all time?

VONDA: Dirty Dancing. I think this was an iconic movie for a generation. It contained romance, fun, excitement and many life lessons about standing up for what you believe in, coming of age. To not be judgmental. How you can do things you never dreamed possible. How the best things in life can come from unexpected places.

ALEXA: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?

VONDA: Both combined and merged into a story that is highly romantic and filled with adventure… that's what I write.

ALEXA: What is your favorite trait about your hero in Stolen by a Highland Rogue?

VONDA: Dugald is incredibly determined to reclaim his valuable dagger. I admire that sort of perseverance. It isn't the monetary value that's important to him. This dagger is very special and ancient. It has been in his clan for generations. He feels he let down his late father when the dagger was stolen. He was not guarding it carefully enough. And now he may have prevented his future children and descendants from having it. Despite his willingness to do almost anything to get the dagger back, including kidnapping, he shows compassion to his hostage.

ALEXA: What does it mean to love someone?

VONDA: To accept someone unconditionally and not place any sort of judgment on things they do. To understand that person, or at least try to. To accept them, imperfections, flaws and all because no one is perfect.

ALEXA: High Heels or Hiking Boots?

VONDA: Hiking boots for hill walking in Scotland. :)

ALEXA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

VONDA: For Highlander Unbroken my upcoming novel, the idea for a dark, troubled Highland hero came to me while listening to the song Demons by Imagine Dragons a few years ago. I then had to figure out how to work it into my series. Once I discovered Maili's brother Neacal MacDonald, first introduced in My Captive Highlander, had a tortured past, literally, I had to write about him. For my novella, Stolen by a Highland Rogue, since my second book (My Wild Highlander) came out I'd wanted to write a story about Camille, a secondary character and the French cousin of the heroine (Angelique). Camille seemed to be a fun person who used weapons and wasn't afraid of a little adventure and danger. She has faced dangerous men in the past, so I knew being kidnapped wouldn't faze her. She would stand toe to toe with the braw Highland warrior and tell him off for abducting her. It was a fun story to write.

ALEXA: Describe an absolutely perfect day.

VONDA: A sunny day in Scotland touring an amazing castle, or hiking to a beautiful place and taking a thousand photos. My recent trip (September '15) to visit Castle Tioram in Scotland comes to mind. It was about 20 to 30 mile drive from our hotel out to the ruin on the remote west coast. My friends and I stopped at several places along the way to take photos of beautiful old bridges, lochs, rivers and mountains. The drive for many miles along a single track (one lane, two way traffic) was tedious and tiring, but once we arrived and saw the castle ruin in the distance on a tiny island in Loch Moidart it was all worth it. We walked a short distance across a sand bar, which the tide sometimes covers over. It was amazing and wonderful to visit the castle that inspired the setting of My Captive Highlander and Highlander Unbroken. Castle Tioram was a MacDonald of Clanranald stronghold for centuries. It was abandoned hundreds of years ago but stands as lingering history that you can see and touch. I felt so fortunate and grateful to get to sit on the rocks for a short while and simply look at it and take hundreds of photos. We were not allowed inside because of the danger of falling masonry, but walking around it was fantastic.

ALEXA: What drew you to write in the genre(s) you do?
VONDA: A major love of Scotland. I think I'm obsessed with the country and I don't know why really, other than it's so amazingly beautiful and has a rich history. There's something about Scotland that resonates in my soul. Getting to visit Scotland and explore it is something I treasure.

ALEXA: What inspires you daily?
VONDA: Readers! I always get more inspired and motivated to write when readers contact me and let me know they're enjoying my stories

ALEXA’S GOTTA ASK, VONDA’S GOTTA ANSWER:

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTOR/ACTRESS & WHY? This is difficult for me to answer because I don't watch that many movies. One favorite that comes to mind is Johnny Depp. I like his versatility and how he always plays unusual and interesting characters. I think he's incredibly talented at what he does.

ALEXA: Got a question you’d like to ask your fans?

VONDA: Do you read Scottish historical romance and if so what is your favorite thing about it?

Thanks so much for visiting us, Vonda! Folks, get busy leaving comments or answers to Vonda’s question. Why? Because she’ll be giving away Celtic earrings and a postcard souvenir from Scotland along with a tote bag swag pack. (North America ONLY.)

 

Note: Please leave an email address for notification. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

 

Get Lost in Scotland With Vonda Sinclair!

Okay, folks, help me welcome Vonda Sinclair back to our site! Today she's answering a few questions for me so you can get to know her and her latest book, My Rebel Highlander, better!

 

BIO

Vonda Sinclair is an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author whose favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. Her books have won an EPIC Award and a National Readers' Choice Award. She lives with her amazing and supportive husband in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story.

 

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS VONDA?

Contact      Website      Facebook     Twitter     Goodreads     Blog      Newsletter   Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Smashwords 

 

THE BLURB

My Rebel Highlander

Known for his wicked wit, fierce loyalty, and skills in battle, Robert "Rebbie" MacInnis, the Earl of Rebbinglen, loves freedom and has no plans of marrying anytime soon. But when his father, a powerful Scottish marquess, signs a contract betrothing Rebbie to an earl's young daughter, he is furious. If he has to marry, he's determined to choose his own bride, though he has no inkling who he would wish to wed until fate intervenes to remind him of one fair-haired, nameless beauty and the passionate night they spent together years ago. A night forever etched in his memory.

 

Lady Calla Ferguson, a penniless widow with a young son, is forced to seek employment as her cousin's companion in order to pay her late husband's massive gambling debt. Having been ignored or mistreated most of her life, Calla has become a resourceful survivor who will stop at nothing to get what she wants—safety and security for her son and herself. Wealthy merchant, Claybourne cares little for the money the Earl of Stanbury owed him; he simply wants the earl's beautiful, voluptuous widow and he'll do whatever it takes to get his hands on her, even kidnapping and blackmail.
 

When Rebbie happens upon Claybourne abducting Calla, he rescues her and hides her in a secluded castle deep in the wild Scottish Highlands. Calla conceals her passionate spirit beneath reserve and duty, along with closely-guarded secrets which, if exposed, could ruin both her life and her son's. Years ago, she lost her heart to a dark-eyed stranger she never thought to see again, but now he's her protector. Rebbie craves another pleasurable night like the one they shared in the past, and she cannot resist the fiery passion that echoes deep in her heart and soul. Soft but strong, Calla sparks within Rebbie a desperate hunger and a need to protect her. But will her secrets tear them apart?

 

EXCERPT

Perthshire, Scotland, August 1619

 

"Look, Calla. 'Tis one of those barbaric Highlanders," Lady Elena whispered in shock, halting beneath the overhang just outside the dressmaker's shop in Draughon Village. Calla glanced across the muddy street. The Highlander in question, wearing a belted plaid kilt, strode from the Breakstane Inn, his bare muscular calves showing above his boots. He had several weapons strapped upon his body, including a basket-hilt broadsword, a long dagger, and pistols tucked into his belt.

He possessed a fine, athletic form, and his long hair, near dark as midnight, brushed his broad shoulders. He hoisted himself onto a tall, sleek black stallion, while his manservant held the bridle of the spirited animal.

"A wealthy Highlander," Calla murmured. Aye, only a rich man could afford such an impressive warhorse. When the man faced their direction, her breath stopped. His devilish deep brown eyes and handsome face had haunted her dreams and fantasies for six long years.

"Saints," she hissed. 'Tis him!

"He is a frightening sight, is he not?" Elena clutched Calla's arm.

Calla tugged her cloak's cowl more firmly over her head, hoping to conceal her face. At all costs, that man could not see her. She knew him, but not his name.

Forcing herself to look away, Calla composed herself for her younger cousin's sake. "Laird Draughon wears a kilt most of the time. And, as we know, he is not frightening."

"Aye, but…" She pointed. "With all those weapons, that one looks like he's going to war."

 

 

AND NOW FOR THE INQUIRY...

Alexa: How often to you get lost in a story?

Vonda: As often as possible. I write most days and get lost in my own stories. I also like to read on my iPhone when I'm out places or waiting in line. Recently, I've also been listening to audiobooks.

 

Alexa: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?

Vonda: I would have to say the books in my Highland Adventure Series are both. They are wildly romantic stories of true love which end happily-ever-after, and they also contain a great deal of action and adventure. It's a combination I enjoy, whether I'm writing, reading or watching a movie.

 

Alexa: What sound or noise do you love?

Vonda: The sound of ocean waves crashing onto shore is so relaxing and romantic. I think it is a primordial sound we instinctively recognize from the dawn of humanity.

 

 Alexa: Is writing or story-telling easier for you?

Vonda: To me, they are one and the same because I find I must write in order to tell a story. I'm not very good with telling a story orally. When I get into writing mode, the words and story flow out of me. I love the sounds the words make in my head and I love the emotions they evoke.

 

Alexa: What’s something you’d like to tell your fans?

Vonda: Thank you for reading my books!! It gives me great joy and satisfaction to know readers all over the world are reading my stories and enjoying them. Thank you for escaping into the story world I created and getting to know my characters!

Alexa: Is there a “Blooper” in your story (it may have been changed before printing)?

Vonda: In one of my earlier stories (My Brave Highlander), I'd wanted to say how virile the hero was, but instead I wrote that he was viral. Yikes! LOL! Thank goodness an astute beta reader caught it and I was able to change it before it was published. I had a good laugh at myself over it.

 

 

Alexa: What’s your favorite kind of story to get lost in?

Vonda: A story which is highly romantic and filled with positive emotions and hope, despite the angst or danger. Love conquers all and heals emotional wounds. I love watching the process of two people falling in love, despite the odds, and experiencing it along with them within the pages of a book.

 

 

Alexa: What is your hero’s “kryptonite” – in other words, what will bring him instantly to his knees?

Vonda: Knowing that his Lady Calla is in danger. It spurs him to leap on his horse (Devil) and race to her rescue.

 

Alexa: What one thing about your hero drives his heroine crazy? And what one thing about your heroine drives her hero nuts?

Vonda: What drives Calla crazy is that Rebbie is so curious. He asks too many prying questions, wanting to know all about her. But there are some things she hopes he will never learn. What drives Rebbie crazy is that Calla keeps secrets and won't trust him 100%. Because he rescued her twice, he feels he has earned her trust.

Alexa: What do you do to unwind and relax?

Vonda: I love to walk or take hikes, preferably in nature. Taking walks in Scotland has been especially memorable for me in such places as Glencoe or through the heather on Ullapool Hill. I also like to take walks here where I live in the mountains of NC.

 

Alexa: What’s the best birthday present you ever received?

Vonda: A trip to Scotland. It was amazing! :) We hiked up a hill on my birthday (a warm sunny day) and took in the amazing view from the top.

 

Alexa: Complete this sentence. When I want to relax, I. . .

Vonda: …close my eyes and imagine being in Scotland. It's a place where I can relax, enjoy and simply be. I love absorbing the atmosphere and breathing in the clean, crisp air. I know, I keep mentioning Scotland, don't I? LOL I'm addicted to the place.

 

Alexa: Yes, you do keep mentioning it and you're making me jealous! How did you come up with the idea for your book?

Vonda: I'd known for years that I wanted to write Rebbie's story (My Rebel Highlander). He has been a secondary character in books 2 through 5 of my Highland Adventure Series. Not only is he a hot, yummy Highlander who has more money than he knows what to do with, he is also amusing and curious. His friends call him nosey. He has always needled and teased his friends when they end up married or falling in love. But now the shoe is on the other foot and Rebbie is the one being teased. He knows he deserves it, but he still doesn't like it. As for how I came up with the idea for the plot, I'm not sure. I only knew I wanted to do something a bit different and unexpected so I looked into Rebbie's past to see what secrets he had hidden. You know you always read about these rakish heroes who have had trysts with many women. I wanted to know what would happen if he ran into one of those women again, the one woman he'd been unable to forget. And I also wondered what her story was, which turned out to be fascinating to me.

 

Alexa: What's up next for you, Vonda?

Vonda: I'll be doing a fun anthology called Kissing the Highlander with Terry Spear, Victoria Roberts, Eliza Knight and Willa Blair. I'll also be continuing with my Highland Adventure Series.

 

 

Alexa: Got a question you'd like to ask your fans? 

Vonda: What is your favorite trait of a historical romance hero?

 

Folks, you'll want to answer her question so you'll be in the running for Vonda's giveaway! She'll be sending out a copy of one of her books to one lucky commenter (winner's choice)! Thanks so much for spending time with us, Vonda!

 

 



Vonda Sinclair Gets Lost in Scotland

Today.... it is my pleasure to bring you one of my Celtic sisters, Vonda Sinclair. Vonda and I have been in Celtic Hearts Romance Writers for several years together. I'm currently reading one of her books and I tell you I have a hard time putting it down. I need more hours in the day! Please help me make her feel welcome!

 

BIO Vonda Sinclair’s favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She is a past Golden Heart finalist and Laurie award winner. She lives with her amazing and supportive husband in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story.

AND WHERE CAN YOU FIND VONDA?????

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

THE STORY BLURB

Battle-hardened warrior Dirk MacLerie isn't who everyone thinks he is. He's Dirk MacKay, heir apparent to the MacKay chiefdom and Dunnakeil Castle on the far north coast of Scotland. When he returns home after a long absence, will his clan know him and will the duplicitous enemy who tried to murder him twelve years ago kill him in truth this time?

Lady Isobel MacKenzie is a beautiful young widow betrothed to yet another Highland chief by her brother's order. But when her future brother-in-law accosts her and threatens to kill her, she is forced to flee into a Highland snowstorm. When she runs into a rugged and imposing man she thought dead, she wonders if he will turn her over to her enemy or take her to safety.

Dirk remembers the enchanting, dark-eyed Isobel from when he was a lad, but now she is bound to another man by legal contract—an important detail she would prefer to forget. She wishes to choose her own husband and has her sights set on Dirk. But he would never steal another man's bride… would he? The tantalizing lady fires up his passions, testing his willpower and honor at every turn, even as some of his own treacherous clansmen plot his downfall.

 FOR A LITTLE TASTE...

Scotland, November 1618

Dirk MacKay urged his horse into a gallop along the narrow, muddy road that led from Draughon Castle toward Perth. Praying he wouldn't be too late to see his father alive one last time, he squinted against the cool, misty rain stinging his eyes.

The meager light of dawn hidden behind thick, leaden clouds provided little illumination. Greenish-brown hills dotted with grazing sheep and rolling beige grain fields sped by on either side of the road. Tulloch carried him closer to the thatched-roof stone crofters' cottages situated before a small wood of bare-limbed trees. A faint white mist hung over the massive River Tay, hidden amongst the bushes in the distance.

Dirk hoped he'd slipped away before his two friends knew what he was about. They would insist on going with him and he couldn't allow them to make such a sacrifice.

Lachlan was recently married and a newly titled earl and chief. He would be daft to accompany Dirk on a dangerous trek through the snowy Highlands to the edge of the earth, leaving his wife and clan to fend for themselves.

Although Robert "Rebbie" MacInnis, Earl of Rebbinglen, was a Highlander with naught to tie him down, Dirk wouldn't put his life in danger, either.

It wasn't simply the severe cold weather of the north that made Dirk worry over his friends' safety. A murderer lurked amongst his clansmen… a murderer who wanted Dirk dead, and wouldn't bat an eye at killing one of his friends, as well. He shook his head. Nay, he'd done the right thing by not asking Lachlan or Rebbie to risk their lives by traveling with him to Durness.

The three of them had been near inseparable for the past few years, but Dirk needed to handle this on his own. He'd been living in limbo for twelve years, and now it was time to return to his real life… to follow his destiny.

AND NOW FOR THE Q & A

ALEXA: What’s the first book you remember reading? 
VONDA: Thumbelina.

ALEXA: What’s your favorite love word?
VONDA: Kiss.

ALEXA: What’s your favorite fairy tale?
VONDA: I love them all, the usual ones like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, plus I also love Scottish fairy tales.

ALEXA: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?
VONDA: Both. I like fairy tales which are also action adventures. My stories are much like that because, on the one hand, they are very romantic in a Cinderella, happily-ever-after sort of way, but I also like to include plenty of adventure and suspense to keep the reader on the edge of the seat and flipping those pages.

ALEXA: What sound or noise do you love?
VONDA: Waterfalls. We have a small pond by our porch and I love sitting out there in summer, reading, eating a meal, or writing. The waterfall is a nice, relaxing sound.

ALEXA: What's your favorite movie of all time?
VONDA: One of my favorites is Rob Roy.

ALEXA: Oooh, I love Rob Roy, too! What is your biggest vice?
VONDA: Chocolate ice cream! I only get it every now and then.

ALEXA: How is it working with hot guys and sexy women all day?
VONDA: Incredibly rewarding! LOL It is a blast most of the time, I have to say. The hot Highlanders in kilts who live inside my head are definitely inspiring. Working with Dirk and Isobel from My Brave Highlander was especially fun. One reason is that they’re opposites in many ways. He’s the strong, silent type, while she loves to talk and dance. She throws him off-kilter worse than anyone, especially when she teases him and flirts with him. Dirk certainly likes women but he isn’t used to holding actual conversations with them. Their interactions were fun to write and I hope readers will enjoy them.

ALEXA: Be honest, when reading...do you put yourself in the heroine’s role?
VONDA: Of course. LOL Falling for a hot hero is one of the best things about escaping into a romance novel.

ALEXA: What’s something you'd like to tell your fans?
VONDA: Thank you for reading my novels! It means more to me than you’ll ever know. This career is my dream come true, and it was hard won after many years of diligent work and persistence. I take nothing for granted. I’m grateful for every moment of being able to write romance novels, and I’m incredibly thankful to you for reading them! :)

ALEXA: If you were given a chance to travel to the past where would you go and specifically why?
VONDA: Early 17^th century Scotland so I could do some first-hand research. I love to capture the true atmosphere of a time period so I can transport the reader there. To me that’s what getting lost in a story is all about, escape to a different time and place and imagining for a little while that I’m someone else.

ALEXA: What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?
VONDA: My dream for many years, which I’ve realized during the past year, was to become published and actually earn a living from my writing. This allows me to pursue another dream of traveling to Scotland for more research and adventure. It’s my reward for working hard all year. :) I’m glad my husband fell in love with Scotland too. We have a blast exploring castle ruins, deserted beaches and hidden glens.

ALEXA: Tea or Coffee? And how do you take it?

VONDA: I like both but coffee with a generous helping of chocolate or hazelnut is my favorite. :)

ALEXA: What color would you make the sky if it wasn't going to be blue anymore and why?
VONDA: Green like the bright, vivid green hills and mountains of Scotland in the June sunshine. There is no green like it.


ALEXA: We're about out of time. Vonda, do you have any questions for your fans?
VONDA: What is your favorite thing about romance novels? The hot heroes? The romance that makes you sigh? Getting lost and escaping to another time and place? Or something else?

Thanks so much for visiting us today, Vonda! I enjoyed chatting with you. For those readers leaving a comment, Vonda has generously decided to offer TWO prizes! (A signed, PRINT copy of both My Fierce Highlander and My Wild Highlander. AND an ebook copy of both My Fierce Highlander and My Wild Highlander.) Comments will be accepted until midnight EST on Sunday, October 7th. Winners will be announced in the comment section on Monday, October 8th. (Print prize to be mailed to US address only. Ebooks, international.)

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.