Showing posts with label young adult novel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young adult novel. Show all posts

Thursday, June 25, 2015

A Pot of Glimmer

Adventure and Romance in Ireland for Young Adults of All Ages! Book Three in the Glimmer Series is out. No worries if you haven’t read the first two. Each book can stand alone.

The cast members include Janet, an American teen whose grandfather serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland; Liam, an Irish teen whose father is the King of Ireland; and, members of Ireland’s unpredictable fairy clans. It’s the leprechauns who shake things up in A Pot of Glimmer, a rollicking ride spanning centuries.

Here’s the Blurb (an Excerpt follows):
A leprechaun’s feud with a Viking ghoul puts Liam and Janet in deadly danger…

Ireland - January 1014 Fledgling leprechaun Awley O’Hay leads a raid on a Dublin mint. The mission:steal a shipment of coins to aid the High King, Brian Boru, in his war against the Vikings. Awley and his team plan the heist with commando precision, but they hit a glitch and only escape a bloodthirsty mob with the help of Hazel, the uncommon sister of one of the leprechauns. Yet the money master’s vengeful ghost troubles Awley for centuries. So do Awley’s forbidden feelings for Hazel.

Ireland - July 2015
Janet Gleason has had her fill of fairies. They’ve not only plagued the American teen since she arrived in Dublin, they’ve also hindered her romance with her gallant friend, Prince Liam Boru. When Janet’s grandfather, the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, throws a Fourth of July celebration, Liam reluctantly attends with the rest of the royal family.

Also attending are several uninvited guests. A fairy witch named Becula arrives with Hazel, her clever and quirky protégée, to beg a favor of Janet. The unplanned appearance of Awley O’Hay and his leprechaun pals triggers a chilling visit from the money master, now an undead monster hungry for human flesh.

Liam and Janet fall into a nightmare that tests their courage in ways they never imagined. Nor did they imagine that real leprechauns are nothing like the “little men” of Irish lore.
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Excerpt - Young love has its problems, but Janet and Liam seem to have more than their fair share of trouble. Can they rekindle their former romance? Should they?
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The formal reception room beside the foyer seemed a silly place for teens in casual clothes to meet. When Janet first came to Deerfield House, she’d disliked the opulent room and its overwhelming chandelier. She’d thought it pretentious and fussy. Now it was merely another room. Liam and Kevin must feel that way about their royal digs, she thought as she slipped in behind them, her theater eye regarding them as actors on a stunning set.

Only inches apart, Kevin and Matti were laughing. Liam stood away from them, saying nothing, thumbs hooked in the pockets of his tailored jeans. He wore contact lenses instead of his gold-rimmed glasses. His hunter green rugby shirt set off his dark red hair and cinnamon eyes and flattered his well-toned physique. He needed a haircut. A sudden desire to touch the rebellious curls at the tops of his ears confused her.

Waving the shears, she made her entrance as if she were following chalk marks on a stage. “Hi, guys.”

Liam turned. His eyes grew wide. He slapped his hands over his heart. “I beg you, lady young and fair, to lay your weapons down!”

His dramatic performance made her chuckle. She laughed out loud at the agonized look on Kevin’s face.

“Eejit,” he said. “I wouldn’t blame her if she skewered you.”

“Aw, come on, Kev,” Matti said. “I like Liam’s poems.”

Liam made a slight bow. “Thank you, fair Matti.”

“Gee,” she said. “I’m starting to wish I had a weapon too.”

“You don’t need one,” Liam said. “Your tresses black, your garnet lips, your cutting azure glance, can murder unsuspecting swains with neither knife nor lance.”

Kevin groaned. “I’m losing the will to live here. What’s the garden stuff for, anyway? I thought we were going to the zoo.”

“We are.” Still grinning at Liam’s theatrics, Janet placed the shears in the basket. “My grandfather asked me to put these away. Why don’t you two go on ahead? We’ll catch up.”

Kevin and Matti happily agreed. Janet opened the front door Out on the lawn, workers were clearing yesterday’s stands and tents. Chatting away, Kevin and Matti ambled down the sun-drenched driveway. A burst of noise from the workmen drowned out their conversation.

Liam took the basket from Janet. “Where’s the shed?” he shouted.

She pointed to the right. They strolled to the back of the house, where stands of thick green shrubs subdued the racket. As they turned up the path to the shed, they both spoke at the same time.

“Sorry,” he said.

“No, I’m sorry. What were you going to say?”

“Only…nothing. Are you coming to my father’s birthday outing tomorrow?”

“I don’t think so. Matti’s here. We have plans.”

“You know she’d be welcome. Kevin will be there.”

Janet reached for the latch on the potting shed door. “I know, but—”

“But one day with the Boru boys is enough for you, eh?” He spoke with the comical flair he’d used to recite his poem. Then he grew more serious. “I’m sorry you’re stuck with me today.”

Her hand hung suspended over the latch. “What are you talking about? I was going to apologize for putting you in an awkward situation.”

“It’s not awkward, Jan.” He kicked at the grass. “Well, maybe a little, but only because you said you didn’t want to see me anymore. It’s Kevin. He asked me to come, y’see. He thought Matti wouldn’t want to be alone with him. Guess he was wrong about that.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Thoughts scrambling, Janet opened the door and placed the basket on the potting bench. The pungent odor of cow manure wrinkled her nose. She wasted no time escaping the shed and shutting the door, and not because of the smell.

She wanted to touch those curls at the tops of Liam’s ears. “Liam, I like you. A lot. I’d like you even if you hadn’t saved me from the fairies. Twice.”

“That’s a memorable reason, I expect.”

“But it’s not the only reason. You’re a great guy, and I’m glad we’re friends. I have no problem with us having a date today, as long as it’s okay with you. I just don’t want a steady boyfriend.”

“So you’ve said, and I agree. I’m glad we’re friends too. Anyway, the best you’d get with me is an unsteady boyfriend.” He caught her hands and drew them to his lips for a pair of proper royal kisses.

Not fair, Liam!

His eyes seemed locked in place, so intensely did he stare at her. She eased her hands from his, not to escape his handclasp, but to touch those curls at the tops of his ears. She had to stand on her toes to reach them. When she did, he hooked his arms around her and hugged her tight.

The woodsy scent of him entranced her. Was that pounding heartbeat his or hers? No longer caring about steady or unsteady anything, she raised her chin in hopes he’d kiss her.

He did, a neat little peck that chased all thought from her buzzing head, but he broke their embrace and backed away. “I’m sorry, Jan.”

“I’m not.” She ran her hands from his sturdy chest to the back of his neck and drew his head to hers for the lingering, pulsing sort of kiss they’d often shared. “I mean, I am,” she said when she could speak again. “Oh Li, I don’t know what I mean!”

He opened his mouth to respond. A woman’s piercing cry cut him off.

“Is somebody there? Help me! Oh, please help me!”

Janet exchanged “uh oh” looks with Liam. “Where are you?” she called.

“Herbs! Please help me!”

Liam’s gaze raked the sunlit lawn. “Where are the herbs, Jan?”

“This way.” She pivoted left.
* * * * *
Boston, Massachusetts native Pat McDermott writes romantic action/adventure stories set in an Ireland that might have been. Glancing Through the Glimmer, Autumn Glimmer, and A Pot of Glimmer are young adult paranormal adventures featuring Ireland's mischievous fairies. The Glimmer Books are "prequels" to her popular Band of Roses Trilogy: A Band of Roses, Fiery Roses, and Salty Roses. The Rosewood Whistle is her first contemporary romance.

Pat’s favorite non-writing activities include cooking, hiking, reading, and traveling, especially to Ireland. She lives and writes in New Hampshire, USA. Excerpts from her books are available on her website: http://www.patmcdermott.net
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A Pot of Glimmer / Available in Print and eBook

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Autumn Glimmer: Just in Time for Halloween

Pat McDermott here, back this time with Autumn Glimmer, a paranormal adventure for young adults of all ages, and I'm happy to announce that the book is now available in print. Set in an Ireland that might have been, Autumn Glimmer is the sequel to Glancing Through the Glimmer. The "Glimmer" books feature Ireland's mischievous fairies, who refer to their magic as glimmer. The stories are prequels to the Band of Roses Trilogy, whose "what if" premise supposes that High King Brian Boru survived the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 A.D. and established a royal dynasty still in existence.

Teenage Prince Liam stars in the Glimmer books, along with his American friend, Janet Gleason, who can’t seem to stay away from the fairies.
Because Janet’s grandfather is the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Janet lives in Dublin and attends an upscale boarding school. She still misses Boston, especially in autumn, when New England’s trees are so gorgeously vibrant. But she’s settled into her new life well and landed the lead in the next school play. When King Brian invites the Gleasons to his country estate to celebrate Halloween, Janet is happy: she’ll be with Liam again.

She should know Ireland better by now…

Blurb for Autumn Glimmer:
Janet and Liam meet again for a Halloween weekend they’ll never forget… Fairies living beneath the lake on the King of Ireland’s country estate? Janet Gleason isn’t surprised. The American teen and her royal friend, Prince Liam Boru, have met the Good People before. Just before Halloween, three of the fairies, Blinn, Mell, and Lewy, leave their watery home to fill a magical bag with the flowers their queen requires to keep a hungry monster asleep. A tragic ride on a Fairy Wind leaves poor Lewy lost and alone. Can Liam and Janet help him find the flower bag before the monster awakens? Or will Lewy’s misguided glimmer trap the young mortals forever in the palace beneath the lake?

Excerpt:
Below the bubble, the water brightened to lustrous cobalt blue. Stars seemed to shimmer deep in the lake. A forest of vegetation waved on the lake bed. The impossible sight of crystal towers emerged beyond the greenery, and Liam wanted to dance.

Janet raised a hand to her face. “It’s lovely, but why does it smell so bad?”

She was right. A nasty whiff of something vile had seeped into the bubble.

Becula raised her arms. “Hasten!"

The bubble’s downward speed increased. The stench intensified. Trying to pinpoint its source, Liam scanned the ghostly lake. An amber mist glowed in the inky water beyond the light and seemed to be pursuing them.

“What is it?” he asked, dreading the answer.

“The Crogall Cú,” said Becula, her nonchalant tone at odds with the stiffened sags and bags on her face. “When it hunts, its nostrils blow foul vapors to confuse its prey. Fear not, young prince. It shall not harm us.”

A terrible roar tore through the bubble. Janet yipped and clung to Liam. Squashing his lips to keep from yipping himself, he hugged her to him. The mist billowed into to a putrid fog that poured like custard to sully the water. Another roar, much closer this time, jolted the bubble.

Janet screamed. Liam’s heart leapt into his throat. A blood-red eye as big as an autumn moon stared in at them from the water. How could such a behemoth exist in the little pond? Liam tightened his hold on Janet and hoped the Invincible Orb lived up to its name.
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About Pat McDermott:
Boston native Pat McDermott writes romantic action/adventure stories set in Ireland. Pat is a member of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project, Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Her favorite non-writing activities include cooking, hiking, reading, and traveling, especially to Ireland. She lives and writes in New Hampshire, USA.


Autumn Glimmer / Available from
Amazon U.S.
Amazon U.K.


Pat’s Web Site

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Glancing Through the Glimmer: Available In Print!

Pat McDermott reporting in, delighted to announce that Glancing Through the Glimmer, my Young Adult adventure set in an Ireland that might have been and featuring Ireland's fairies, is now available in paperback. The fairies are happy, and so am I.

Find out what it's about Here.

Read an excerpt Here.

And check out the paperback on Amazon Here.

E-book lovers, never fear. Glancing Through the Glimmer is still available for your e-readers.
Links Here.

A homesick girl meets a prince in disguise, and both run afoul of the fairies...

Friday, April 19, 2013

Autumn Glimmer: Ireland's Fairies are At It Again!

The Fairies are back in Autumn Glimmer, an adventure for young adults of all ages set in an Ireland that might have been. Autumn Glimmer is the sequel to Glancing Through the Glimmer. Both "Glimmer" books are paranormal prequels to the Band of Roses Trilogy, whose "what if" premise supposes that High King Brian Boru survived the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 A.D. and established a royal dynasty still in existence. As head of state, the current King Brian upholds ancient traditions, as do his children, Princess Talty and Prince Liam. Teenage Liam stars in the Glimmer books, along with his American friend, Janet Gleason, who can’t seem to stay away from the fairies.
Janet’s grandfather is the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. Janet still misses Boston, especially in autumn, when New England’s trees are so gorgeously vibrant. But she’s settled into her new life well and landed the lead in the next school play. When King Brian invites the Gleasons to his country estate to celebrate Halloween, Janet is happy: she’ll be with Liam again.
She should know Ireland better by now…

Blurb for Autumn Glimmer:
Janet and Liam meet again for a Halloween weekend they’ll never forget…

Fairies living beneath the lake on the King of Ireland’s country estate? Janet Gleason isn’t surprised. The American teen and her royal friend, Prince Liam Boru, have met the Good People before. Just before Halloween, three of the fairies, Blinn, Mell, and Lewy, leave their watery home to fill a magical bag with the flowers their queen requires to keep a hungry monster asleep. Blinn decides she’d like to see the mortal king’s house. Lewy wants to taste oatcakes again, and Mell goes along on a tragic ride that leaves poor Lewy lost and alone. Can Liam and Janet help him find the flower bag before the monster awakens? Or will Lewy’s misguided glimmer trap the young mortals forever in the palace beneath the lake?

Excerpt:
Below the bubble, the water brightened to a lustrous cobalt blue. Stars seemed to shimmer deep in the lake. A forest of vegetation waved on the lake bed. The impossible sight of crystal towers emerged beyond the greenery, and Liam wanted to dance.

Janet raised a hand to her face. "It’s lovely, but why does it smell so bad?"

She was right. A nasty whiff of something vile had seeped into the bubble.

Becula raised her arms. "Hasten!"

The bubble’s downward speed increased. The stench intensified. Trying to pinpoint its source, Liam scanned the ghostly lake. An amber mist glowed in the inky water beyond the light and seemed to be pursuing them.

"What is it?" he asked, dreading the answer.

"The Crogall Cú," Becula said, her nonchalant tone at odds with the stiffened sags and bags on her face. "When it hunts, its nostrils blow foul vapors to confuse its prey. Fear not, young prince. It shall not harm us."

A terrible roar tore through the bubble. Janet yipped and clung to Liam. Squashing his lips to keep from yipping himself, he hugged her to him.

The mist billowed into to a putrid fog that poured like custard to sully the water. Another roar, much closer this time, jolted the bubble.

Janet screamed. A blood-red eye as big as an autumn moon stared into the bubble.
* * * * *
About Pat McDermott:
Born and educated in Boston, Massachusetts, Pat McDermott is the author of a series of romantic action/adventure stories set in an Ireland that might have been. Her favorite non-writing activities include cooking, reading, music, hiking, music, and traveling, especially to Ireland. Pat is a member of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project, Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. She lives and writes in New Hampshire.



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Autumn Glimmer / E-book Available from
Glancing Through the Glimmer / E-book Available from