20. January 2011 by admin.

Here is a second excerpt from a time travel-Scottish Highland novel that I am currently shopping to agents. I call it SPELLBOUND HIGHLANDER. It is a little different from my published historical paranormal, DRAGON’S CURSE (Whispers Publishing) and I continue to incorporate historical facts into my romance. Hope you like it!Nancy        

     Haven swept her skirt back down to cover her legs. Why did she feel compelled to do this? She left her ankles naked to his viewing since why should she care if he peeked at her legs. Her ankles and feet were her best feature. At least, Cal told her so. Stop thinking of that bastard!    

     “Sorry. Didn’t mean to give you a free show. My bad.”     

     “Yes, that was verra’ wicked.”A laugh popped out. He sounded like he thought she had apologized for…what?      “Please forgive me. I should have asked if it was safe to face ye.” His cheeks flushed a brilliant red, typical of those with Scottish or Irish heritage.

     On him it looks quite nice. She pulled her numbed feet from the icy current. Picking her way through the tall grass, she sat and faced the river. She locked elbows, rested on her out-stretched arms, and wiggled her toes to dry them in the sunshine. Peace settled over her as she peered out over the river. The opposite bank sported wall-to-wall pine trees with more craggy peaks rising in the distance.

     “This isn’t right,” she whispered, only now remembering his comment about high summer. Doesn’t that mean mid-summer?

     “This is September, the beginning of autumn.”

     “Nay. Harvest time is many moons hence.”

     He walked off before she could argue. Where are the changing leaves? Why isn’t this grass brown from early frost? And why won’t he let me walk alone to the main encampment? Sighing, and with a headache pinching between her eyebrows, she swished her legs right and left to dry her feet quicker, and then leaned forward to feel along the bottoms.

     “Allow me, dear lady.” Kirk knelt in front of her and gazed at the soles of her feet. One at a time, he held each in his warm, calloused palms. An immediate rush of searing heat shot up her legs, past her thighs, straight to her most vulnerable spot. Haven bit her bottom lip. Deep blue eyes under heavy, dark eyelashes refused to meet her gaze. She prayed he’d finish his observations soon, before he noticed how her body responded. Tremors skated up and down her spine while silky moisture pooled between her thighs. Breathing became nigh on impossible, but she forced her lungs to inhale when a wave of dizziness arose.

     His manly scent ravaged her senses. His aroma had changed. He’d washed, and changed clothes. No blood discolored his thick wool wrap. A subtle difference mingled with the scent of horse and leather. His breath smelled of…strawberries? But, strawberries only grow around mid-July in New Hampshire.Then she visualized the contents of the bowl of fruit she’d found in the tent. The bowl contained tiny strawberries. The aromatic tang broached the space between their bodies.

     Her lips itched to ask for an explanation, yet afraid his answer would pull her from this delicious dream. Instead, she stared intently at his hands as they massaged her sore ankles and ravaged feet.

     “Have my feet stopped bleeding?”

     “Aye.” He set each foot back on the mossy ground while one hand slid slowly up her ankle. When it stopped just below her knee, Haven’s gaze snapped upwards and connected with blue eyes grown dark as midnight. His auburn hair, a tangy mixture of red pepper and milk chocolate, fluttered in the breeze. Her stomach rumbled.A tense frown passed over his face.

     His jaw clenched. His stature, though kneeling in front of her, all but blocked the sun. Her legs spread of their own volition and he inched closer. Something in his eyes made her slowly collapse until her hair tangled with tiny twigs and tall grass.

Hope you enjoyed this!

Nancy

Posted in My Books | No Comments »

13. January 2011 by admin.

Here is an excerpt from a time travel-Scottish Highland novel that I am currently shopping to agents. I call it SPELLBOUND HIGHLANDER. It is a little different from my published historical paranormal, DRAGON’S CURSE (Whispers Publishing) and I continue to incorporate historical facts into my romance. Hope you like it!

Nancy    

 Haven stood perfectly still. What would he do next? Kirk’s hand rose until it cupped her jaw. The gentle touch made her eyes widen. When he flicked his thumb over her cheek, warm tingles slid between her legs. 

     “What are you doing?” she whispered.

     “I could not allow yer beauty to be marred by the dirt dotting yer cheek.” He paused, and his eyes closed to slits. “Ye have the most adorable freckles gracing yer nose.” He grabbed several pieces of coarse linen and left the tent.    

     He likes my freckles?    

     Haven glanced down at her dress and sighed. Such a mess. Heat stained her cheeks from the shame, so she reluctantly followed Kirkwall from the tent. With her back straight, she passed his men and ignored their curious glances. Kirk and his long legs soon disappeared down a small trail.     

     She picked up the pace, shook off the pain of her injuries, and asked, “Could you point me toward the encampment? Maybe after lunch I can walk there.”     

     “Not with those feet, Haven. I am sure they pain ye, aye?” He stopped and his broad frame filled the width of the trail.

     Haven stopped abruptly. Then she noticed the silence, as if a camp full of men had vanished into the ether. I’m alone with this stranger yet I  feel…utterly safe.“Yes, my feet ache. The bleeding stopped, I think. If I can soak them, I’ll feel better. May we continue?”

     With a nod, Kirk led the way until the trees and brush thinned and opened onto the bank of a wide river. The water churned white near the center where it flowed over and around rocks and huge boulders. She approached the calmer water’s edge then noticed some yellow and white flowers growing in a profusion of weeds. “Chamomile?”

     “Are ye in a mood for picking flowers?”

     “Only when I can add them to my medicinal collection,” she muttered.Kirk stood with his massive arms crossed over his naked chest and glanced down-river. His casual stance did not detract from the feel of his eyes on her. He glanced upstream and she watched as he scouted the area.“Are you watching for those men?” Haven slipped a large handful of petals into her pocket. She bunched up her skirt and sat close to the edge. As soon as she placed her swollen feet into the clear water along the bank, she whimpered.

     “What be wrong?” he asked without turning toward her.

     “It’s so cold!” Shivers raced up her legs from its icy touch.

     “Aye, creeks and rivers never get any warmer and this is high summer. And yes, I must watch for those men. Since we came from the other direction, chances are they will not venture this way. The river is wide and the water too dangerous for man or beast to attempt a crossing.”

     Kirk bent to pick up a rock.Haven inhaled and clamped her knees together. From waist to knee, his sculpted body called to her from beneath his odd-looking kilt. She blinked. Both calf muscles stretched and popped as he rose then flung the flat stone across the water. Skip, skip, skip. Just like my heartbeat. Devil’s own luck! Why must he be so gorgeous?

     “We do no’ carry bathing soap nor fine linens to dry with, my lady—I mean, Haven. The water is clean and the sun will dry ye fast enough.” He passed her a small square of linen to scrub with then returned to the riverbank. He stared northward.

     At least, he had told her it was north. She washed the grime from her face and neck then asked, “What do you mean by high summer?”  As she waited for an answer, she raised her hem and scrubbed the dirt from her feet and ankles. Maybe I should have mixed a sunscreen potion. My pale skin is in jeopardy. “I didn’t realize my bodice dipped so low my breasts are in danger of popping out,” she muttered.  A strangled cough leapt from his direction. He’d heard her? Exceptional hearing and big muscles? Pulling the corner of her petticoat up to her waist, she untied the gold sash then tied it around her hair. She shook her ponytail, enjoying the cool air now able to reach the nape of her neck. She removed the cloth from the burn and smiled at healthy, pink skin high on her thigh.Sensing a presence, she swung toward the giant.

     He stared, open-mouthed.   

Hope you enjoyed this!

Nancy Lee Badger

Posted in My Books | 4 Comments »

3. December 2010 by admin.

Today is release day for my contemporary military romance, UNWRAPPING CHRIS. This is a short, sexy, story of regrets and forgivness. It takes place on a ficticious North Carolina army base and  ends at a friend’s Chrismas Eve wedding. Hot, spicy, and delicious!

Here is the book blurb:

 Army widow Jayne Rockwell searches for a secure future for her and her two daughters. Staff Sergeant Christopher Hawkins regrets leaving young Jayne eight years ago to go off to war. A crash encounter a week before Christmas thrusts these two lonely people back into each other’s lives once more.

Jayne must learn to trust a man who disappeared with her heart. Chris must overcome the guilt of taking her innocence, and then leaving her heartbroken and alone.

A Christmas wedding brings them closer when Jayne spies him as a groomsman in Highland dress, complete with kilt. He cannot keep his eyes off the woman in green velvet wearing a wedding ring. Accusations, explanations, and remorse leads to a love that erupts among candlelight, Christmas carols, and a dark room. Who needs mistletoe?

Read a free funny excerpt at Whispers Publishing at http://bit.ly/eGmOQI
Availalbe REALLY soon at Amazon.com for Kindle!

Posted in My Books | No Comments »

11. November 2010 by admin.

  Army widow Jayne Rockwell searches for a secure future for her and her two daughters. Staff Sergeant Christopher Hawkins regrets leaving young Jayne eight years ago to go off to war. A crash encounter a week before Christmas thrusts these two lonely people back into each other’s lives once more.  

Jayne must learn to trust a man who disappeared with her heart. Chris must overcome the guilt of taking her innocence, and then leaving her heartbroken and alone.  A Christmas wedding brings them closer when Jayne spies him as a groomsman in Highland dress, complete with kilt.  

He cannot keep his eyes off the woman in green velvet wearing a wedding ring. Accusations, explanations, and remorse leads to a love that erupts among candlelight, Christmas carols, and a dark room. Who needs mistletoe?  Here is the new cover for my military-based contemporary romance, UNWRAPPING CHRIS. Hot!

Whisper’s Publishing has done another fine job. Watch for the release on Dec. 3rd!  

Posted in My Books | 1 Comment »

30. September 2010 by admin.

My alter ego has another book out! DESTINY’S MOUNTAIN by Nancy Lennea has been released by Red Rose Publishing. The book is a romantic suspense with a bit of the gothic paranormal…just enough to whet your appetite amid stalkers, a murder, spicy sex scenes, a mountain rescue, and romance.  Set in the mountains of northern New Hampshire  surrounding a quirky college town, my characters enjoy balmy September days, then endure the horrific cold of an early winter storm. Someone is gonna die!

The buy link is:   http://bit.ly/a4NOHE

Posted in My Books | 2 Comments »

8. September 2010 by admin.

 Click on over to The Pen & Muse at http://thepenmuse.net/?p=1345 and read the latest review of my debut Scottish historical paranormal, DRAGON’S CURSE. The e-book is available now from www.WhispersHome.com, AllRomanceEBooks, Fictionwise, and Amazon.

Posted in My Books | No Comments »

15. August 2010 by admin.

           The water foamed and splashed as if more than one creature fought beneath the surface. Brianna stared through the sea spray, wiping her face with a tattered bit of fabric. She stared toward whatever swam beneath the surface. The sun glinted on something very odd. Emerald-green scales and a long, barbed tail curled just under the surface before the water clouded with a crimson hue.

“Is that blood?” Nia whispered.

“Aye. I think something has come to our aid.”

“I hope the beasties are no’ fighting over who gets to eat us.”

Brianna laughed aloud. The sound startled both her and her friend. “Nay, I am no’ crazed. Fear does strange things to a person. I, too, hope we survive this adventure.”

“Adventure?” Nia shook her head, pointing to a large piece of floating debris, and said, “Look.”

“Tis probably a piece of decking. Mayhap we can raise our feet above the water and look less appetizing to the beasties.”

“Good idea. Swim for it,” Nia cried.

Brianna led the way. Numb fingers clutched the jagged plank. Pain seared up her arms as the wood scraped away skin and dripped blood into the water. “Ye first,” Brianna insisted when she saw a shivering Nia’s pale skin. Brianna rejoiced when her companion reached the safety of the large planks.

“Now you,” Nia said.

“Move over a bit so I can—“

With a flurry of foam, she lost her grip.Water closed over Brianna’s head. She brushed against something scaly before it pulled her beneath the waves. Talons clasped her around her waist. Suddenly, she was above the ocean surface. Wind and water stung her eyes. She kicked and struggled against the vise-like grip holding her above the waves as she tried to understand her predicament. When she brushed damp locks of hair from her face, she stared at a horrifying reflection on the sea’s surface: a huge flying dragon with a small woman in its grip. Both her hands flew to the claws wrapped around her middle. Held fast, the flap of the beast’s great wings filled the sky with an eerie thump.The stench of blood intruded, filling her nose and making her gag. This beast had won the fight under the sea, but what happened to Nia? What happened to Gregor, Cook, and the rest of the party? Would any survivors know of her death at the hands of a dragon? Would anyone grieve her loss?

“Dear God,” she cried. “What about Draco?” The beast trembled at her words. It glided toward land. She recognized the steep cliffs of Staffa and the beach where she gathered driftwood. She spied the waterfall where Ranald met his death. Clenched between the murderous talons of a dragon, she made plans to run as soon as they landed.

“Draco! Help me!” He promised he would come to her aid should she call, but he could not hear her from this distance. The man owned no weapons and no armor. Landing with a gentle bump on solid ground, the golden talons retracted. Now free, Brianna hiked up her skirts and blindly jumped over rocks and roots as she flew into the bushes. Low-lying brambles scratched her naked calves. She survived worse than this when a rope had tangled around her leg and pulled her under the sea.

“I nearly drowned. A sea beast wanted to eat me for supper, now a dragon has stolen me away to this island. What else could happen?” Out of breath, she glanced back at her attacker from the relative safety of jutting rocks and prickly groundcover. Nothing. No dragon.Silence filled the air until a high-pitched squeal made her jump. A huge boar, bigger than any the hunters had brought down during their stay on Staffa, pawed the ground a few paces from her hiding spot.

“Nice piggy,” Brianna whispered. Great. I can turn and run back toward the dragon or be gored by an irate pig.

“Go up.”

Who said that? No matter. Turning, Brianna slipped a bare foot into a low crack in the nearest rock formation. Pushing upward, she climbed. Apparently enraged by her escape attempt, the animal’s squeals turned to angry snorts. The rock shook when he collided head-on with its base. “Go ahead. Knock yourself silly.” The boar backed up and struck again. The boar’s irrational mood and raw strength left Brianna’s bloody fingers grasping for a better hold, but she held. She nearly lost her footing when he attacked a third time. Clinging to loosened soil, which covered the jagged boulder, she also worried about the dragon. Has it let me go, or does it plan to scoop me from my perch once I reach the top?

“Brianna?”

Shocked senseless, her grip loosened. She fell. The scrawny branches of a gorse bush, growing from a crack in one side of her stone perch, scratched her cheek and snatched at her hair. She screamed until she stopped with a thud.A warm, male hand swept tangles from her face. The coarse skin of a masculine thumb swept blood from her painful cheek as she collapsed, with a sigh, into Draco’s chest.

“Ye do no’ fly. Do ye?” he asked.

“I certainly do no’, ye beast. Draco!” She pushed far enough away to stare up from his arms. “Be careful! A wild boar is near! He almost pushed me off my perch.”

“I should no’ wonder since I accomplished the task with only my voice.”  

Hope you enjoyed this sneak peek at my Scottish historical paranormal available from Whispers Publishing. Buy link: http://bit.ly/93hRiM

You can also find it at All Romance E Books and at Amazon for Kindle. 

Posted in My Books | No Comments »

25. June 2010 by admin.

TODAY IS THE DAY!

I am now a published author and I am thrilled to see my book listed on the main page of the Whispers Publishing website: www.whispershome.com. I am also pleased my article, SCOTTISH DRAGONS, was posted today on a blogsite I write articles for called HISTORY UNDRESSED. This site contains a wealth of information on everything historical and I hope you’ll read my article at http://historyundressed.blogspot.com.

I hope you’ll check out Whisper’s website, read an excerpt, and buy my Scottish historical paranormal. Here is the direct buy link:  http://bit.ly/93hRiM

Nancy

Posted in My Books | 1 Comment »

14. June 2010 by admin.

I have my first two books coming out on June 25th. One is a full-length contemporary romance I wrote as Nancy Lennea for Red Rose Publishing…SECRET LOVE MATCH. The other is a novella length book, DRAGON’S CURSE from Whispers Publishing, that can be best described as a Scottish historical paranormal romance. I have kept busy lining up guest blogs and am writing guest articles and answering interview questions left and right. These promotions run through August and I have to juggle two books, two names, and two publishers.

Last Saturday I attended our monthly meeting of the Raleigh, NC based RWA chapter, Heart of Carolina romance Writers: www.heartofcarolina.org. The guest speaker, Claudia Dain, related a quote she’d heard. I have printed it out and have posted it over my desk as release day closes in: Warning-dates on the calendar are closer than they appear. 

Nancy Lee Badger w/a Nancy Lennea

SECRET LOVE MATCH June 25 from Red rose Publishing

DRAGON’S CURSE June 25 from Whispers Publishing

Posted in My Books | 1 Comment »

9. June 2010 by admin.

BOOK BLURB

Sometimes a special gift and an unwanted curse cannot keep destined lovers apart.

Brianna Macleod has accompanied a shipload of her guardian’s friends to a remote island off the coast of Scotland. She eludes these Highland hunters to keep her innocence…and her gift of sight. Her attitude against falling for womanly desires changes when she nearly drowns. Saved by the talons of a terrifying winged beast, she awakens—naked—in a cave, beside an unusual man.

Cursed by a vengeful witch to transform into a dragon at inopportune times, Draco MacDonald hides on this deserted island to live alone: until he plucks a servant girl from certain death. Fueled by jealousy, and tempered by fear for her safety, he succumbs to an unfamiliar desire to mate.

Her kisses propel him to dare to make her his own.

Set in 1592 Scotland on the Scottish island of Staffa, the cursed hero battles a ghostly witch, a hunter set on rape, and his own growing desire for a young woman with premonitions of his death.

EXCERPT

     “She is gone.” Draco sat on a rocky outcropping and stared toward the main coast of Scotland. Storm clouds rose in the north while rain shrouded his island under low gray clouds.Within moments, icy droplets pinged on his scales and dripped off the leathery wings curved over his head. Smoke puffed from both nostrils as he remembered making love with Brianna.

     “Love? She could ne’er love a dragon,” he muttered.

    “Are ye a dragon or a man? All I see is a coward.”

     Draco launched himself toward the gray figure. Agatah swiped one boney arm to her side, and he plunged to the sea.He clawed his way to the surface and headed for shore with two paddles of his talon-clad limbs. A huge breaker pounced upon him and shoved him to the sandy bottom. He stayed submerged as he ran on open talons until he reached the shore.

     “I hate the water.”

     “I know this, ye dumb beast. ‘Tis why I tossed ye in.”

DRAGON’S CURSE

is a Scottish historical paranormal novella 

and will be available June 25, 2010

from Whispers Publishing   www.whispershome.com

Posted in My Books | 6 Comments »