HUG A SCOTTISH ISLAND

28. November 2011 by admin.

Islands are a mystery. A little clump of dirt, grass, bushes, and trees in the middle of the ocean or a clear water lake. Scotland has thousands of islands where mythology abounds. Life in the long ago centuries was harsh, which made the Scots a strong and mighty people.

Be happy while you’re living, for you’re a long time dead—Scottish Proverb

Sláinte,

Nancy

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TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY

13. November 2011 by admin.

I had a great day; lunch with relatives at LONGHORN at Briercreek in Raleigh (thanks, Chris, for the free dessert!); watched NASCAR; reflected on the past year. A decent year, but I am excited to see what the future will bring, especially with my writing.

I will continue to ply the trade, attend workshops, submit manuscripts until an agent agrees I have something to share, and smile each time a royalty check arrives from the six e-books already ‘out there’.

Today’s newspaper (The News & Observer) printed a ‘Horoscope for the Year’ and here is a partial:

“Mid-December is a good time for your finances and career, so work hard to make your fantasies come true.”

Now, if an agent or editor would call about one of my submissions, all will be as it should.

Nancy

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Nov. 11th: Heroes, Heroes everywhere

4. November 2011 by admin.

One little person, giving all of her time to peace, makes news. Many people, giving some of their time, can make history. –Peace Pilgrim, peace activist

As we in America celebrate Veteran’s Day on 11*11*11, we must remember those still fighting around the world.

Nancy

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Happy Halloween…or Samhain!

31. October 2011 by admin.

What are YOU going to be for Halloween?

Samhain is to the Celts like All Hallow’s Eve is to us…a night before the 1st of November, a time to celebrate the end of the harvest and the coming of winter. Winter came early to much of the northeast, this weekend, so we dedicate this post to everyone without power…may your candles flame on and your trick or treaters carry flashlights.

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MY COVER NEEDS YOUR VOTES

23. October 2011 by admin.

Hey, y’all, my beautiful cover created by

Florina Craven of www.ThinkFlowDesign.com

is currently in 3rd place at the

YOU GOTTA READ BOOK REVIEWS COVER CONTEST.

All votes would be appreciated, so please click on

http://yougottareadcovers.blogspot.com/.

Help this gorgeaous cover get the attention it is due. Thanks!

Nancy

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1st 2 pages of DRAGON IN THE MIST

5. October 2011 by admin.

 

Here are the first two pages of my Loch Ness romance. Do not be fooled by the opening story, as this is mainly set in present day Scotland, in a small town on the banks of Loch Ness, near Urquhart Castle. 

PROLOGUE

Loch Ness, Scotland, 1816

 

“Ye dare toss up my skirts, use my body, and then casually mention ye need to return to your wife?” Sudden rage caused Nessía’s fingers to shake, and she bungled her attempt to tie the laces of her bodice.

Rage gave way to pain. Ignited by the hurtful declaration of the man she thought she loved, it grasped her heart in crushing talons.

“My love, do not chastise me. Ye want more than I can give,” Montgomery MacDonald said, his tone condescending, as if talking to a child. He smoothed his plaid and adjusted his dirk and belt.

“Love? What know ye of love?” She stood to make her way toward the door, eager to distance herself from his mockery. She had pinned all her hopes and dreams on a man not worthy of her trust or love. How blind must she be?

“Do not leave yet. Someone will see ye.” He reached out and grabbed her around the wrist.

She turned to face him, and hissed.

He dropped his arm, and stepped back.

A life-saving move.

“Why should I care who sees us? My reputation is lost. As lost as my heart and my innocence. I lay with ye because I thought I loved ye. My quest for a normal life among humans is all for naught. I see now how my foolishness has blinded me to yer ways.”

“Ye speak in riddles, love.”

Pushing away from him and the larder table, where he had so easily thrust himself inside her eager flesh, she brushed flour and grain from the back of her dress. Trembling hands swept down her apron, then smoothed loose tendrils behind her ears. Her brown braid whipped across her left shoulder as she spun and gazed at Monty, her last chance for salvation.

And freedom.

Nessía longed to explain why she succumbed to his flirtations, yet saw no advantage. His disclosure of a wife, waiting at home for him, put an end to such wishes.

“Love is for the weak, woman. My wife knows her place and is grateful for the nights I deign to lay beside her. I promised ye nothing but pleasure.” He winked at her, increasing the pain spreading through her body.

The change surged and fell upon her in a thrice, all because she had trusted a mortal man. She yanked open the door, and let the loch’s cooling breeze caress her human skin. Blood pulsed through her veins while she tamped down the rising urge to shape-shift. She turned to face him for the last time. 

“I loved ye, Monty. Can ye not see what ye have done? Have ye no conscience? I was an innocent maid. I looked up to ye, and ye took advantage.” A sob threatened to escape her swollen throat, but she kept her dignity by standing straight on her human legs. An odd sensation, to say the least.

 “Nessie, do not fool yourself. Ye felt passion, ‘tis all. ‘Tis natural. Ye did enjoy it, did ye not?” His smile did not reach his eyes. In that singular expression, she knew. He never meant to use her for more than a few minutes of passion.

One rakish eyebrow quirked under wavy hair the color of the night sky. Eyes she once considered as warm as the green grass covering the hills beside the loch each spring transformed to molten glass, as he gazed upon her chest. His actions made Nessía believe he needed to memorize each part of her.

Makes sense. He knows I shall not lay with him again.

To look at him, and his handsome features, made her human heart crumble into fine grains of sand, smaller and much finer than the muck lining the bottom of Loch Ness.

I hope you liked this! If you want to purchase this book for $2.99, it is available at Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, and Smashwords.

Nancy

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COPS IN KILTS?

23. September 2011 by admin.

You bet! The Lincoln, New Hampshire police department became supporters of the New Hampshire Highland Games long ago. In fact, through donations and fund-raisers, any patrol officer who wishes to work during the three day annual event MUST wear a New Hampshire Tartan kilt!

This year’s event ended last Sunday. My family and I again volunteered our time under the Information Tent. Besides selling official programs, explaining where visitors can find haggis, sheepdogs, Piper’s Ale, and hunky athletes tossing the caber, we were also in charge of the raffle. Our fantastic group sold all the tickets that were printed (2nd year in a row) and three lovely prizes were awarded, including a trip for two to Scotland. (No, I did not win)

And, if you think these cute cops (one female included, this year) have an easy job, just think again: The bridge to the venue collapsed after Hurricane Irene (see me in photo and notice the broken end on left) and then a fire in a nearby condominium broke out while thousands gathered at the event.

Along with the Loon Mountain and NH Highland Games crews, the police did a great job keeping the people safe. Fire engines and other emergency vehicles zoomed by as pedestrians attempted to enter the grounds over the temporary pedestrian bridge. After a rainy start, the weekend was a success. We are all looking forward to next year, September 23-25, 2012 

Nancy

DRAGON IN THE MIST, a Loch Ness romance,

available at Amazon and Barnes&Noble

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POSITIVE QUOTE OF THE WEEK

12. September 2011 by admin.

  As Americans reflect on the 10^th anniversary of 9/11:

Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms.

—Andrew Jackson

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Dragon In The Mist CONTEST

8. September 2011 by admin.

In celebration of my latest book release, I am having a little contest with a great prize.

My latest release, DRAGON IN THE MIST, a Loch Ness romance, is available on-line from many bookstores. My readers will enjoy having several options for downloading. Even if you do not own a Kindle, Nook, or other e-reader, you can easily download it to your PC or laptop.

Enough of the Sales Pitch! Now for the prize. I bought this beautiful window sticker, doubled sided, with lovely colors depicting two Celtic dragons.

Here are the rules:

Click on any of the buy links below.

Read the Book Blurb which starts with the line “Life without love is not worth living.”

Pick THREE WORDS from the Book Blurb and place them in the comment box. Go ‘anonymous’ if you like. I will have your e-mail when you post the comment (not visible to the public), but it is easy to say ‘Your Name’ won.

There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY, of course.

The contest closes Sunday Sept 11^th, 2011.

Follow me on Twitter @NLBadger. I will announce the winner on Twitter, Facebook, and in the comment section on Monday September 12^th.

AMAZON BUY LINK: http://amzn.to/nNpfNV

BARNES & NOBLE BUY LINK: http://bit.ly/pzEYYh

SMASHWORDS:    http://bit.ly/oKGRDY

ePub ISBN:  978-1-4657-1856-3

Nancy 

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DRAGON IN THE MIST Blurb & Excerpt

2. September 2011 by admin.

 

I released my Loch Ness romance, DRAGON IN THE MIST, this week!

BOOK BLURB

Life without love is not worth living.

Nessía of the Loch has lived beneath the murky water of Loch Ness since ancient times. The pain of loneliness manifests in anger so strong, the entire valley shakes with earthquakes. In 1816, a Faerie queen pleads for her to cease the tremors and rewards Nessía with a human form. To stay human, she must find love. When the man she believes she loves casts her aside, Nessía responds to the betrayal by cursing the men of the MacDonald clan with the inability to keep a woman’s love. Only an act of true selflessness will break the curse.

After centuries pass, Nessía again searches for love. When Rory Hawthorn, an American scientist, arrives under the pretext of researching the earthquakes but in reality to research his MacDonald heritage and the curse, she believes she has found the perfect mate.

Amid stolen kisses, another earthquake, a steamy night of passion, and a broken heart, Nessía returns to the murky depths of the loch. When Rory dives in to follow her, he meets the green, scaly Loch Ness Monster. Assuming Nessía is in danger, he is intent on killing the monster and saving the woman he loves.

EXCERPT

“I need a drink. And dinner,” Rory said.

“Well, sit yourself down and tell me what ye be a ‘craving,” Nessía replied.

At the sexy timbre of her voice, a certain body part surged to life. He dropped his pack and fell into a chair beside a small table. Quickly covering his lap with a ragged linen napkin, he glanced around for a menu. None. She pointed to a hand-written sign over the bar.

“Shepherd’s pie and an ale, please.”

She sauntered away. Nessía stirred his body and filled his head with the startling image of her hair, as it fanned out over his pillow. The Scottish peasant skirt, and the apron she’d tied tightly around her slim waist, displayed her generous curves.

His mouth watered.

Rory spread his legs and squirmed in his seat. His neck grew hot while his pulse drummed a staccato beat. To calm his reaction, he concentrated on curling his damp toes inside his wet socks. Uncomfortable as he watched Nessía, he couldn’t push away the raw desire he felt for her.  

Kendra and Suzie were beautiful women, as well, yet more scantily clad than Nessía. With their coy glances, sweet whispers, and touches, they broadcast their need for male companionship loud and clear. So, why wasn’t he attracted to either of them?

“No matter,” he whispered, then quieted when a couple of old-timers stared at him. He forced a bland smile and sat back against the hard chair. Steam rose from his boots as the fire’s heat wafted over him. Though his body ached, his eyelids drooped. Weariness threatened to pull him into a comfortable nap. He’d scampered over rocks and crags as well as climbed around the many levels of the castle and dreamed of Nessía.

Rory’s stomach muscles clenched and all thoughts of rest flew aside when footsteps signaled someone approaching. He snapped open his eyes, and gazed at the buxom beauty heading his way.

~~~

Nessía tripped over the hem of her dress and a steaming plate of food and a mug of foamy ale went flying. A cry of surprise filled the suddenly silent pub interior. The American with the broad shoulders and muscular calves, whose stare had startled her, jumped from his chair. He stood, still staring, covered in food.

Mac appeared at her side.

“What ye trying to do, lass? Drown the man?”

AMAZON BUY LINK:  http://amzn.to/nNpfNV

BARNES & NOBLE BUY LINK:  http://bit.ly/pzEYYh

I hope you will go check it out!

Nancy

 

 

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