Friday, May 18, 2012

CELTIC ROSE WRITERS AND FRIENDS


Once again this weekend my blog will be open to Celtic and historical writers, to post promotion or chat in the Comments section of this post.  By all means, introduce yourselves and leave us some blurbs, excerpts and links.  If someone is looking for a read, feel free to browse.   No pressure.  If you want a closer look at a book, just copy and paste the buy link in your browser.  Authors,  show us your stuff!  :)  Readers, feel free to comment and let us know what you're looking for.   

29 comments:

  1. Historical Romance by Miriam Newman - The Comet

    An ambitious young Norman knight, seriously wounded at the Battle of Hastings, is cared for by the niece of a Saxon thane. Although Rowena nurses Neel as a matter of “Christian duty,” she is horrified when he repays her kindness with marriage. She dares not refuse, but her land is invaded, her birthright stolen. How can she love an enemy?

    KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/the-comet-ebook/dp/B004MMEG8O?tag=t0e7-20
    Also available at www.fictionwise.com and www.allromanceebooks.com

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    1. Sounds great Miriam! Thanks for doing this promo weekend again ;)

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  2. HIGHLAND LEGACY

    Faced with an abhorrent betrothal, Cailin Macmillan flees her father’s castle and quickly learns that a woman traveling alone in Medieval Scotland is an easy target for ruthless English soldiers. When Highland patriot Connor Fraser comes to her aid, his steadfast dedication to king and country is challenged by his overwhelming desire to protect Cailin—even if he must marry her to do so.

    Accused of murdering one of her attackers and determined to rely on her own resourcefulness, Cailin dresses as a lad, intent on seeking refuge at the camp of Robert the Bruce. Can she elude an enemy from her past—a vindictive English lord bent on her utter demise—or will she fall prey to his carnal intent and be executed for a crime she did not commit?
    AVAILABLE AT:
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0065KX8P8

    http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highland-legacy-b-j-scott/1107731370?ean=2940013540521

    http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/highland-legacy/

    http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Highland-Legacy/book-dK4JnTC9OEuYHoQZN4s14A/page1.html?s=EmPN540lAkyky7DVuhlVkg&r=1

    WATCH FOR BOOK 2 OF THE SERIES HIGHLAND QUEST TO BE RELEASED IN JULY 2012

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  3. Dear Miriam, I love the plot idea. Even more, being a frustrated astronomer since the fifth grade, I love the idea of pulling in Haley's comet, the one that is stitched onto the famous Bayeux tapestry. This one (the book, not the comet) deserves a wide audience.

    Slán, Erin

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  4. Thanks, B.J. and Erin. I have both your books, just need time to read them. Ack! I'm like a kid in a candy store.

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  5. Somehow in the crude life of the Dark Ages, not only did a tempestuous love affair set Ireland on fire, but a man who would become a saint lit his own fires across that wild landscape, not only changing history but actually creating it.
    The driving force behind Erin O’Quinn’s trilogy The Dawn of Ireland is that of the saintly Father Patrick. The characters of Caylith and Liam personify the abrupt and lasting changes that Patrick brought about, changing forever the people and the very fabric of their lives.
    In the first book of the trilogy, STORM MAKER, Caylith has pledged to her friend Patrick that she will remain chaste until marriage. That promise was easier to give before she really knew the deeply passionate Liam O’Neill . . . .
    The book is more than heady romance, as an old enemy rises up to threaten Liam’s life, and an old suitor comes calling on the eve of her wedding.
    In the following book, THE WAKENING FIRE, Cay finds that she has only begun to plumb the depths of her husband’s desires. They also find that their unstoppable enemy has a history full of dread secrets that could change the lives of everyone in northern Ireland.
    As the title suggests, the fire that wakens the dark ages of Ireland--the one that outshines all others--is the fire lit by Patrick. And so the book explores not only hidden desires and secret tragedies, but the unstoppable force, the towering fire, of a man called Patrick.
    STORM MAKER is now available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ireland-BookStrand-Publishing-Romance
    THE WAKENING FIRE has just been published: http://www.bookstrand.com/the-wakening-fire
    CAPTIVE HEART will debut o/a June 12.

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  6. A Band of Roses by Pat McDermott - Alternate Irish History/Action-Adventure/Romance

    This is the first in a trilogy of romantic adventures set in an Ireland that might have been. Here's the blurb:

    Irish kings still rule the Emerald Isle—and a princess is in trouble...

    Ancient Irish traditions remain strong in a world where High King Brian Boru survived the Battle of Clontarf and established a dynasty that rules Ireland to this day. When greed for oil prompts England’s Regent to claim an Irish island in the North Atlantic, Ireland’s Crown Princess Talty becomes a pawn in a murderous plot to seize the throne of England.

    From Japan to California to an eleventh century Ireland preparing for the Battle of Clontarf, Talty must hide her true identity, though she can’t hide her ingrained training as a member of the Fianna: the warriors who guard the Kingdom of Ireland. She brings home a discovery worth more than any oil well, yet all she wants is to return to her family and Neil Boru, the adoptive cousin she secretly loves and cannot have—or so she thinks. Neil has a secret of his own, one that emerges as the Boru clan works with MI6 to thwart an invasion of Ireland and bring Talty home.
    * * * * *
    Excerpts, a link to the video trailer, and further info may be found on my web site: http://www.patmcdermott.net/

    Thanks, Miriam!

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    1. Pat, you know I've had and loved this book since it was first published. I don't read much YA, but think I'll make an exception for Glancing Through the Glimmer. I love any tales of Finvarra!

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  7. Glancing Through the Glimmer by Pat McDermott - YA Fantasy/Adventure/Sweet Romance/Irish Fairies

    The characters from A Band of Roses enjoy new adventures as teenagers. I had lots of fun writing this story, guaranteed to entertain young adults of all ages. Here's the blurb:

    In the modern Kingdom of Ireland, few mortals believe in the fairy folk. Without that belief, the fairies are dying. Finvarra, the King of the Fairies, would rather dance than worry—but he must have a mortal dancing partner.

    When Janet Gleason’s grandfather becomes the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, the sixteen-year-old orphan must leave Boston and her friends behind. Janet is lonely in Dublin and unused to her grandparents’ stuffy social life. An invitation to a royal ball terrifies her. She can’t even waltz and dreads embarrassment. Finvarra’s fairy witch overhears her fervent wish to learn to dance.

    Seventeen-year-old Prince Liam Boru loathes the idea of escorting another spoiled American girl to a ball. In fact, he detests most of his royal duties. He dresses down to move through Dublin unnoticed and finds himself on his royal backside when Janet crashes into him. Intrigued, he asks to see her again, and she willingly agrees. Unaware of each other’s identities, they arrange to meet. When they do, the fairies steal Janet away.

    Liam’s attempts to find her trigger a series of frustrating misadventures. Can he and Janet outwit a treacherous fairy king who’s been hoodwinking mortals for centuries?
    * * * * *
    Excerpts, a link to the video trailer, and further info may be found on my web site: http://www.patmcdermott.net/

    Thanks, Miriam!

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  8. Thanks for this generous chance and welcome, Miriam!

    I have 3 Celtic-themed historicals.

    BRONZE LIGHTNING - set during the bronze age and with a bull leaper heroine and a king with power over storms.

    FLAVIA'S SECRET - set in ancient Roman Bath with a Celtic heroine and her Roman master hero.

    THE SNOW BRIDE - set in the snowy northern woodlands of medieval England, a beauty and the beast story with a gallant knight and a beautiful, red-headed witch.

    You can see more on amazon, barnes and nobel and more, plus find excerpts and buy details at my website
    http://www.lindsaytownsend.net

    Best wishes, Lindsay Townsend

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  9. Thanks, Lindsay. Flavia's Secret is one of my own personal favorites.

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  10. Thanks for the opportunity to share my suspenseful Scottish time travel Romance Somewhere My Lass. The novel has had a lot of fantastic reviews and is available in ebook format from all online booksellers.

    Blurb: Neil MacKenzie's well ordered life turns to chaos when Mora Campbell shows up claiming he's her fiance from 1602 Scotland. Her avowal that she was chased to the future by clan chieftain, Red MacDonald, is utter nonsense, and Neil must convince her that she is just addled from a blow to her head--or so he believes until the MacDonald himself shows up wanting blood.

    Mora knows the Neil of the future is truly her beloved Niall who disappeared from the past. Although her kinsmen believe he's dead, and she is now destined to marry Niall's brother, she's convinced that if she and Neil return to the past, all will be right. The only problem is how to get back to 1602 before it's too late.

    The balance of the present and future are in peril if she marries another, and the Neil of the present will cease to exist. An ancient relic and a few good friends in the future help pave the way back to the past, but will Mora and Neil be too late to save a love that began centuries before?

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  11. Scottish + time travel = I'm going to like it! Thanks for visiting, Beth!

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  12. Thanks for the opportunity

    Black Dorn - an erotic medieval romance by Daryl Devore.
    Heat Rating - 5 hot peppers
    Available at - http://www.newdawningbookfair.com/

    The links make the book sound scarier than it is.

    Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Black-submission-punishment-bondage-ebook/dp/B005XQ93RC

    Blurb

    Purchased to be trained as a courtesan, Branwyn arrives in a strange new land. A castle called Black Dorn. Her instructor, Duna Trea, is horrified by Branwyn's lack of knowledge of the relations between a man and his woman. Branwyn begins her daily lesson in the art of bedding a man.
    Back from battle, Prince Malack rests near a brook to freshen before returning to the court of his father. His life is lonely. The noble woman chosen to be his bride rejected him and bedded his hated rival. Malack turned his anger and loneliness onto the focus of battle and increasing the power and wealth of Black Dorn.
    Branwyn, lost and afraid, nears the handsome stranger standing by the brook and requests his help. Malack raises his eyes and his gaze settles onto the face of the woman who will be his queen.

    Excerpt

    A horse's snort startled her. Branwyn hurried toward the sound. Two magnificent beasts - a human one and an animal - stood next to a small creek. The dusty, brown horse drank as the man wiped his chin and returned a wineskin to his horse’s saddle. The man was in profile to Branwyn but she could still distinguish he was a fine specimen. Brow, nose and chin were all pleasantly formed, and curly, black hair skimmed his shoulders. His arms and chest looked strong enough to easily manage the large sword hanging at his side. The horse turned an ear toward her, lifted his head and whinnied. Startled, the man returned from his reverie and looked at her.
    Branwyn scurried over. "Oh please, sire. My name is Branwyn. I come from Black Dorn, but I’m newly arrived there and have gotten lost. Can you please direct me?"
    His brow furled as he scowled. "If you live at Black Dorn, who is your serving girl? Your duna?"
    "Leah serves me. Duna Trea is to...to...instruct me."
    "Explain why you’re so far from Dorn."
    "I was wandering about the beautiful flower garden when I saw the maze. I got lost." Her eyes filled with tears and she lowered her head.
    "Did you enjoy the maze?" His voice made her want to giggle.
    Branwyn shook her head.
    "No? But it’s a place of games and pleasure. Did you not go there to seek pleasure?"
    "No, I found no pleasures there. Only games I do not understand." She wiped away a tear. "Please sire, I’m tired and hungry and feel I may soon collapse. Which way must I travel to return to Black Dorn?"
    His horse nudged him in the back with his nose. Placing both strong hands around her waist, he lifted her to his saddle. Mounting the horse, he tugged on the rein and directed his horse back to Black Dorn.
    When they entered the courtyard, Leah ran across the cobblestones, skidded to a stop and dropped to her knees. The horse halted a few feet in front of her. Branwyn slipped down from the stallion, curtsied to her escort and walked to her serving girl.
    "Leah." His voice boomed across the courtyard. Still kneeling, Leah quivered. "Do not let your dune wander about freely. She needs guidance." As he turned, a stable boy reached for the reins. He tossed them over, dismounted and strode toward the castle.
    When the sounds of his footsteps faded, Leah stood.
    "I do not need guidance," Branwyn snapped. "I got lost. What a rude, arrogant man. He didn’t have the upbringing to know to introduce himself."
    "Dune Branwyn," whispered Leah as she led her into the castle, "that’s Gon Lacke’s eldest son. He will inherit the castle, lands and people. There’ll be a feast tomorrow to honor his safe return. But now I must get you to your room. You must be exhausted from your day. A bowl of mulled wine will soothe you."

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  13. Miriam,

    Though I'd never attempt to write them (way too much research)I love to read Celtic romance and historical romances set in the British Isles. Thanks for hosting these authors. My TBR pile just keeps growing and growing.

    I write American western historical and futuristic sci-fi romances.

    THIS HEART FOR HIRE
    http://www.amazon.com/THIS-HEART-FOR-HIRE-ebook/dp/B005VF01TY
    A convent reared innocent and a gunslinger with no memory struggle to survive and find love while crossing the dangerous west Texas frontier.

    Abandoned by his father and betrayed by his half-brother and fiancee on the eve of his wedding, JAKE GALLAGHER no longer believes in love. Though he longs to go home, his undercover work for the Texas Rangers keeps him in a lawless Texas border town. Even though it jeopardizes his mission he refuses to stand by and watch outlaws rape and murder a young woman. Getting shot and losing his memory wasn’t part of his plan.

    While fleeing from her stepfather’s plans to steal their ranch, CHRISTINA GOODWIN witnesses her brother’s murder and is left in the hands of a merciless band of outlaws. Raised in a strict convent, Christina has little knowledge of men or the world, its dangers and temptations. Frightened and alone, she is forced to accept the help of the dark gunslinger who rescues her. Though drawn to Jake’s potent masculinity, she hesitates to trust him, fearing her stepfather has sent him to bring her back. Unsure of Jake’s motives for helping her, she struggles against him, determined to find a way to avenge her brother’s death and regain control of her ranch from her stepfather.

    HER WILD TEXAS HEART
    http://www.amazon.com/HER-WILD-TEXAS-HEART-ebook/dp/B007464OSM
    In a lawless west Texas border town, a woman has two choices: death or dishonor. Doctor's apprentice and former Comanche slave, KC O'Connor finds a third--she buries her femininity and longing for love beneath a boyish disguise. But the arrival of an injured greenhorn shatters the shell around her hidden heart.

    STAR CRASH
    http://www.amazon.com/Star-Crash-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B007T2J9T0
    When Planet of the Apes meets Star Trek what's a girl to do?

    After recon pilot Cora Daniels crash lands on an alien planet she finds herself a prisoner of the Flock: a race of birdlike humanoids. Trapped in their zoo she discovers they intend her to mate. To breed. To be part of their human herd.

    She's placed in a cage with a man - a powerful, virile man, but not just any man - Alexander. Was he her lost love, who'd disappeared so long ago? Here he was: naked, glistening, a warrior trained by the Flock to fight for their amusement. How could the brilliant man, the tender lover she remembered have become this animal born to dominate and destroy? Was he a pawn of the Flock or would their flight to freedom be a long-sought reunion?

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  14. Daryl - LOVE Medievals. Next to Celtic stuff, they will catch my attention faster than anything else. Elysa, believe it or not I once wrote a futuristic and it's still my best-selling book. ??? Westerns, no, but Heaven knows there were enough descendants of Irish immigrants in the West. Irishmen built a lot of our railroads. My great uncle who came from Ireland knowing only how to ride a horse ended up in the cavalry with General Custer, though fortunately not at the Little Bighorn.

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  15. Miriam,
    Thanks so much for the opportunity to "pimp" my work. Three of my works are set in Ireland and ALL my heroes are Irish. ;-) Gotta luv a man with a brogue!

    For one day only, Sunday May 20th, my novelette The Sidhe Princess is FREE on Amazon: http://amzn.to/rmaPBi

    In the rural Northern Ireland of the 1960s, sixteen-year-old Moira Mullins is newly released from her second stay in a mental institution. Her problem is that she can’t seem to escape the notice of the other-worldly inhabitants of the wild lands bordering her family’s farm. Creatures nobody else can see or hear.

    When one of these beings, a fairy princess called the Maid of Ulster, offers to foretell the future, Moira jumps at the chance. But the Maid has ulterior motives that could have tragic results for Moira, who learns the future is sometimes better unknown.

    A dark modern-day fairytale, this 14,000 word novelette (easily read in a couple of hours) is a prequel to Ms. McGary's debut release The Wild Sight.

    Hope you enjoy it!

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  16. Thank you so much for this generous offer, Miriam! I look forward to reading your stories. :)

    The Selkie Spell is a modern retelling of an Irish fairy tale about an American doctor who travels to an enchanted Irish island and learns she has the power to break a centuries-old curse.

    This first story in the Seal Island Trilogy is full of romance, sexy chemistry between the hero and heroine, and sizzling suspense. It has fantastic reviews on Amazon, and the next story in the trilogy, The Selkie Enchantress, will be out this summer!

    The Selkie Spell ~ http://tinyurl.com/6tn22ac
    Website ~ http://www.sophiemosswrites.com/

    I'm following your blog now and look forward to your posts. :)

    Slainte.

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  17. Loucinda, you're a girl after my own heart. My first book featured a heroine who saw faeries living in her woodpile, only no one else could see them. She didn't end up in a mental institution, but I can see how Moira did. Sophie--I love selkies! Love that this is a trilogy, too. Welcome to the blog.

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  18. Thanks! Consider this a follow!

    My first book is out now. Wish for the Moon, Book 1 of the Circle of Destiny, a Medieval time travel set in mystical Wales.

    The 2nd book in the series is still in edits: Moonlight Madness, set in Renaissance Britain.

    http://sandijonesromance.blogspot.com
    http://sandrajonesromance.com

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  19. Both sound really good, Sandi. Good luck with the one in edits. Sounds like it will be fantastic. That is a great era to write about; I wish there were more of those.

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  20. Hi Miriam! *waving* Thanks for opening your blog for another weekend full of exciting stories.

    I'm happy to share one of my newest releases with everyone today.

    The Highlander's Fury from The Wild Rose Press

    Here's a wee excerpt that shows just how determined Ciara is about following her goddess mothers advice and seducing the carefully selected dark brooding Highlander.

    Excerpt:

    Her eyes cast lower; she couldn’t help but wet her lips as she admired the lines of his body. His image within the waters of Cerridwen’s cauldron had not done him justice. He towered above her. Muscles well cut, tensed arms well shaped; this was no sedentary man. His black silk tunic stretched tight across his broad shoulders. His kilt slung low about his trim hips. Faolan moved with the smooth, predatory gait of the wolf; he was the image of his Gaelic namesake.

    Too bad, he’s not a shape-shifter. Ciara heaved a breathless sigh with this silent observation. What a time we would have, the dark wolf and I, I’d have him howling by the next full moon as we chased each other through the midnight wood.

    http://www.maevegreyson.com/books.html

    Thanks again, Miriam!

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  21. Hi, Maeve, good to see you here. Is this the book that sold out at its last bookstore appearance? LOL.

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  22. Miriam, thanks for the opportunity. MY HONORABLE HIGHLANDER is out this week in ebook from Smashwords, Amazon, AllRomanceEBooks, and NOOK. It is my 8th book, and my 3rd Self-pubbed. It is a story that grew from my decades of volunteering at the NH Highland Games.

    Book Blurb-
    Bumbling present day herbalist, Haven MacKay, gets more than she bargains for when her love spell goes awry, is cast back in time, and meets her true love -- Laird Kirkwall Gunn.

    Kirk’s plans go slightly off course when he falls in love with a woman wandering through the Scottish Highlands. After all, he has pledged to marry another, from an enemy clan, in order to end a century-old feud.

    Excerpt-
    “Beg yer pardon, my lady,” he mumbled. He jumped to his feet and turned away. Both beefy hands lay fisted on his hips.

    Haven looked away, and gazed instead at her surroundings. The peacefulness of the moment wasn’t lost on her. The gentle breeze rustled overhead tree limbs and a few unusual birds flitted among the branches, singing sweetly. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

    He choked at her words then bent to pick up a large, dead twig. When he cocked one leg, she saw the muscles of his thighs tremble.

    I embarrassed him. How about that?

    Haven wiggled her warmed toes, then lowered her dress. She luxuriated in the intense pleasure his fingers had wrought. Pushing up from her perch, she rubbed her rear end with both palms before she smoothed her gown.

    Who am I kidding? These wrinkles will never come out.
    The stranger’s head turned back her way and his eyes widened as she tugged on her bodice.

    The twig snapped in two.

    See all my titles at www.manicreaders.com/NancyLeeBadger/

    Amazon Buy Link: http://amzn.to/Knot6H

    ISBN: 9781476417400

    Thanks again, Miriam

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  23. Hope I'm not too late to the party! Been a busy weekend and today is catch-up day!

    Today I'm talking about ONE KNIGHT ONLY, my historical with paranormal elements. It's got something for everyone: knights in shining armor, magic, Faeries, romance, a Scottish laird with a gambling problem, jousting, sinister plots, time travel and raucous good fun!

    Blurb:
    A snarky Faery princess, a Scottish knight with a gambling problem, and a murderous earl all add up to one thing: Trouble. Maggie’s medieval education never prepared her for life in the Middle Ages!

    Do-gooder Maggie Chase throws her thesis out the window when she wakes up in the arms of a hot Scottish knight. When she realizes she’s somehow ended up back in time, she embraces the persona of Lady Margaret. But she may be in over her head when she realizes she has to keep the sexy knight alive during a jousting tournament in order to get back to her own time.

    Sir Finian “Finn” McCullough is a gambling man and owes a very large debt to an evil earl who is after his family estate. When the beautiful and outgoing Maggie arrives in his bed, he can’t remember tupping her the night before and thinks she’s a spy for one of his neighboring clans. He intends to find her kinsman and return her safely but he can’t resist her charms, her smart mouth or her sex appeal. Instead he keeps her close, taking her with him to an important jousting tournament—one he has to win or lose his castle forever.

    To read an excerpt, check out my website:

    http://michellemiles.net/books/paranormal/one-knight-only/

    Available in eBook and Print!

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  24. Glad to see Nancy and Michelle here. Wow, so many good books. I hope the readers are having as much fun as I am. Post away, ladies!

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  25. Hi Miram, Thanks for letting us share our Celtic themed books.
    I write Historical fantasy romance. Here is my latest, a trilogy set in Dark Age Scotland and based on an actual Irish warlord:

    A Greek vampire, Celtic kings, vengeful goddesses, an ancient faery curse…
    All three books of my Dark Goddess trilogy are available in Print and Ebook. Set in Dark Age Scotland, I mixed history with a Samhain/Beltaine myth that revolves around an Irish clan and the goddesses Brigit and Cailleach. For more information--excerpts, reviews and buy links, please visit my website book page here:
    http://kelleyheckart.com/BookShelf.html

    Have a great weekend!

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  26. Hi, Kelley, I have read and loved some of your books. Thanks for stopping by!

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