Cathie's Amazing Authors Event

Woohoo, it's my turn today at the Amazing Authors Event! ~bounce~


A group of wonderful authors - and I - have recently joined together to host a blog tour: enjoy almost two weeks of tempting excerpts, wonderful stories and plenty of suggestions for your personal electronic bookshelves. But you might not even need to spend your hard earned cash - on the final day you'll get a chance to win free copies! You'll just have to answer the questions on the last blog. No worries - you'll find links to all our posts there so you can double check! It's like sitting a maths test with the result book by your side... ;-)


Right, so now let me tell you about Highland Arms. My Scottish romantic historical has been on the market for 6 months! Wow! But with my new historical, Dark Deceit, coming out on 10th February, I must quickly tell you about where the idea for Highland Arms came from. 


My in-laws live in the Scottish Highlands. On our way to visit, we pass through the most stunning landscapes - and I discovered my favourite place: Glencoe / Ballachulish. During several stays there I fell in love with the place. I found some small booklets of local history; and the idea for Highland Arms - smugglers, Jacobites and Highland rogues - was born. 

I have since returned there many times and I'm still as captivated by the stark beauty of the land as I was on my first trip. For that reason, Highland Arms will always have a special place in my heart.


Blurb:

Betrayed by her brother’s lies, Catriona MacKenzie is banished from her Edinburgh home to her godmother’s remote manor in the Highlands. While her father ponders her fate, Catriona’s insatiable curiosity leads her straight into trouble--and into the arms of a notorious Highlander.

Five years after an ill-fated Jacobite rebellion, Rory Cameron works as a smuggler to raise money for the cause--until Catriona uncovers a plot against him and exposes his activities. Now Rory is faced with a decision that could save their lives or destroy them both.

Excerpt:

Her mind made up, she rose and wrapped a thick blanket around her shoulders. As her bare feet touched the wooden floor, she hissed at the chill. With no maid to call upon, she left her room and went downstairs in search of the kitchen. The thought of a warming cup of tea raised her spirits. Then she’d continue to set her plan into motion.

She pushed the kitchen door open and stopped short. Standing by the mullioned window, in front of

a large bowl overflowing with water, was Rory Cameron. He turned as he heard the door. Catriona

caught her breath, and grabbed the handle, letting go of the blanket.

Water dripped over his head and down his torso, trickling in small rivulets over his kilt held by a broad belt with a round silver buckle in a Pagan design of interlacing swirls. The light curls of hair on his tanned chest glistened with moisture. His shoulder-length hair was unbound, falling softly over taut muscle. A dry smile told her she was staring at him. Again.

She swallowed hard. “I...” She stuttered. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Cameron.” She averted her gaze to her feet. “I was just looking for a pot of tea. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

The insufferable man laughed as he grabbed a piece of cloth and began to pat himself dry. “I don’t think you did.” He shook his head, sending strands flying before rubbing it vigorously. “And it’s Rory, remember?” He grinned. Catriona stood rooted to the spot. Words failed her. Her mouth went dry.

“But tell me...” He went on. “Do you always venture into the kitchen so early? If so, you’d better get dressed next time.”

Transfixed by his mocking gaze, her cheeks heated as she became aware of her own state of undress. What an impression was she giving him with her hair falling loosely over her shoulders, and the blanket barely covering her modesty?

Oh, dear God, the blanket!

Highland Arms is available at Amazon US / UK, B&N and The Wild Rose Press.
Dark Deceit will be released on 10th February 2012 from Crooked Cat Publishing.


So, where next, I hear you ask? Well, nip over to the fabulous Maggie Toussaint tomorrow to continue our Amazing Authors Tour:  http://mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com/ 


See you over there! :-)