Tag Archives: Fairies

A visit with #author Mary Morgan

Today, I have one of my favorite people – and writers – visiting me. My wonderful, prolific, writer-friend and WRP Sistah MARY MORGAN is here, chatting about her newest release, TRIAL OF A WARRIOR. 

Do yourself a favor: grab a cup of tea, sit back, and listen to Mary discuss her inspiration for the series. She’s even given us a little sumthin’ sumthin’ from the book to enjoy.

Inspiration behind the series, Legends of the Fenian Warriors, by Mary Morgan

Hi Peggy! ( Peggy here: Hello, beautiful!) Thanks so much for hosting me on your wonderful blog today. I thought I’d share my inspiration behind my fictional series, Legends of the Fenian Warriors.

I have always been fascinated with Celtic mythology, so it only made sense that I would develop and expand the world of the Fenian Fae Warriors. Theirs was a world rich in legends, colors, and senses. I’ve based my own fictional account on the legend of the Tuatha Dé Danann—one of the invasions of Ireland. They were known as the Shining Ones or the Fae.

The Tuatha Dé Danann was defeated in two battles by the Milesians, whom historians and scholars alike agree were probably the first Gaels in Ireland. It was agreed that the new invaders (Milesians) and the Tuatha Dé Danann would each rule half of Ireland. Therefore, it was that Amergin of the Milesians chose that half of Ireland which lay above ground, leaving the Tuatha Dé Danann to retreat below. They were led underground by Manannán mac Lir, God of the Sea, who shielded them with an enchanted mist from mortal eyes. As time passed, they became known as the Sidhe (Shee), or Ireland’s faery folk.

With my warriors, there is nothing diminutive with these heroes. They’re ancient, extremely tall, and commanding. As always, it will take a strong woman to stand beside these Fae.

TRIAL OF A WARRIOR, Legends of the Fenian Warriors, Book 3

Duty and honor cannot compete against the blinding truth of love.

Their greatest adventure lies within their hearts.

A sacrifice taken. A love worth risking.

Will their love destroy a kingdom or unite a fractured realm?

Will the burning embers of their past love spark a reunion or destroy a future?

 

 

Blurb ~

You met them in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the Fae and witness their legends!”

A warrior sentenced to die.

On trial for breaking a supreme Fae law, Fenian Warrior, Liam MacGregor has no regrets. He is prepared to accept his sentence—even if it means his death. However, freedom comes in an unexpected manner, and brings with it certain dangers as he travels through the Veil of Ages.

A princess honor-bound to remain hidden.

 Princess Abela might be a priestess and the daughter of royalty, but that doesn’t prevent her from doing the unimaginable. She sacrifices duty and honor to set free the man who captured her heart so many years ago. No matter the severity of his crimes, she cannot let Liam die.

A rescue that will bring about a war and divide a kingdom! 

In their quest to secure a treaty to forestall Liam’s death sentence, they must fight their desires for one another, as well as the Fenian Warriors sent to capture them.

Excerpt ~

Taking the end of her braid, Liam wove the soft hair around his finger. Black as ebony, the lock glistened in the soft glow of the fire. She’d tempted him beyond reason. Once, he thought there might have been a destiny, but her words of rejection slammed the door on any possibility. If she had no desire to claim him, why did Abela come to his initiation?

“Why witness my ceremony?” He let out a frustrated breath and brought the braid to his lips.

“Because I never said goodbye,” she uttered softly. Lifting her head, her eyes sought his and her cheeks colored from the heat of his gaze.

Liam was unable to look away from her beauty. “No. I recall harsh words and tears.”

“We were young—naïve.”

“Stubborn and set on a path of adventure,” he added.

“But our roads have led us to this fork, so to speak.”

Liam cupped her chin. “Was it destined?” He felt her tremble from his touch.

“I am not a seer,” she replied, darting her tongue out along her bottom lip.

His mind screamed at him to move away. She was a princess—a priestess. But the temptation to taste her lips once more seeped into his being. Liam bent his head and placed a feather-like kiss on the corner of her mouth.

A small breathless whisper escaped her lips, “More.”

Her invitation sparked a desire that had remained sealed. Cupping the back of her head, he continued to kiss her tenderly on the eyes, nose, and forehead. As he shifted his position, Liam brought his arms around her and dared to feast on something that was forbidden. If death was his future, he wanted one more kiss to take with him.

Buy Links:

Amazon //B&N // iTunes // Wild Rose Press //Amazon UK // Amazon CA // Amazon Aus  

Author Bio:

Award-winning Celtic paranormal and fantasy romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.

Social Media Links:

Website // Blog // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads //Amazon //Pinterest // Instagram // BookBub 

 

Peggy here: Mary, a million thanks for visiting today. Your books – and the covers – are so fabulous!!! Happy holidays and pleasepleaseplease keep writing your amazing tales!!

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An #interview with author Peggy Chambers

 I’ve recently met a new author to me and thought I’d introduce her to all of you as well. Say hello to writer Peggy Chambers. Peggy’s got a new release out and she “stopped by”the other day to be grilled by yours truly. Sit back and find out more about this lovely author.

Peggy Chambers: The Writer

  1. What drives you to write? I began to write when my parents became ill. It was a way to get thoughts and feelings down on paper. Now, I feel compelled to write to get the stories out of my head and on paper. I think I’ll write until I can no longer hold a pencil or open a lap top.
  2. What genre(s) of Romance do you write, and why? I write romantic suspense. I am not attracted to romance only books. I need an underlying mystery or suspense to hold my attention.
  3. What genre(s) of Romance do you read, and why? I read romantic suspense and historical romance (Outlander series). I need an underlying mystery or suspense to hold my attention. I am a former romantic – and then life got in the way.
  4. What’s your writing schedule? Do you write every day? I normally write every day. Some days I write longer than others. I find that if I can carve out about 4 hours and close myself off from the world, I accomplish more. Short snippets of time are better for editing than creating the original story.
  5. Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table?

I inherited the old recliner that belonged to my father-in-law. It is well-worn burgundy leather that still smells like him when it warms up. It is cozy and comfy and it sits in the spare bedroom with my grandmother’s antique bedroom set. I sit with my laptop in my lap and fall into a different world. Recently I received a rare gift from an immensely talented artist, Pauline Jones. Pauline and I worked together. She loved my books and one day we traded our art. Her beautiful picture now hangs above my father-in-law’s recliner as a muse over my shoulder as I write.

I find this mostly unused bedroom suits me well. Here I am surrounded by my past, my family, and my friends. My mother-in-law’s roll-top desk holds the computer when it is charging, the small table that my father loved to eat ice cream on as a child is in the corner. I have a bench and quilt rack that I created when I took some woodworking classes, and of course, there is a bookcase for my grandson’s books when he was young.

  1. Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnel vision? I need quiet to compose – I need to immerse myself in my characters and their lives.
  2. Do you listen to music while you write, and if so, what kind? If not, why not? Sometimes, but only instrumentals, no lyrics. They mess with my creative side.   I try to sing along. I love classical music.
  3. How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP? I took three short stories with strong characters and put them together. The hardest part was trying to decide what their purpose was – what did they need to accomplish together. I finally found that thing and the WIP is coming together even though slowly.

9.Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? I think my characters play the main part. Strong characters make a strong plot.

  1. What 3 words describe you, the writer? Creative, driven, conflicted. (I’m conflicted because I write more than one genre)

Peggy, The Person

  1. Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing! I once ate Wart Hog pizza for lunch on an African safari.
  2. Who was your first love and what age were you? My husband, we were high school sweethearts.
  3. If you could relive one day, which one would it be? Think GROUNDHOG DAY, the movie for this one – you’ll have to live it over and over and…. A day spent with my children when they were young and the fun we had as a family playing with the dog or on vacation.
  4. Do you like a guy in boxers, briefs, or commando? Briefs.
  5. If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it beauty item, what would it be? Hairspray.
  6. What three words describe you, the person? Kind, worker, organized
  7. If you could sing a song with Jimmy Fallon, what would it be? You are the Sunshine of my Life
  8. If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any timeline, who would it by, why, and what would you do together? Claire Frazer

I love the Actor’s Studio show on Bravo, so this is my version of it:

  1. Favorite sound laughing
  2. Least favorite sound Nails on a blackboard
  3. Best song every written Halleluiah by Leonard Cohen
  4. Worst song ever written Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer by Randy Brooks
  5. Favorite actor and actress Harrison Ford and Charlize Theron
  6. Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? (It can be anyone living or dead) Stephen King to see what goes on in his head.
  7. What turns you on? kindness
  8. What turns you off? anger
  9. Give me the worst 5 words ever heard on a first date (here’s mine: “Is that your real hair?”) My mother has that same bikini. (sorry, that’s 6)
  10. What’s your version of a perfect day? A road trip and picnic

Blurb:

Fourteen years ago, Ethan met Glome, the Viking ghost, and the fairies at the cottage where his father was studying the Heavener Runestone. Now Ethan was back and news traveled fast in the forest. Currently working on his Ph.D. in Archeology, Ethan soon found the forest much as he left it when he was young. Only he had changed.

While making s’mores with Glome and the energetic fairies, Ethan learned that the Vinland Maps lay hidden in a nearby cave. They were drawn by Vikings who traveled to North America long before Columbus. Every self-respecting archeologist had read about the maps in college. And he wanted them.

Warned by Trondelag, the dragon, not to go up against Loki and the draugrs for a piece of paper to make him famous, Ethan decided to go anyway. And then there was Mac – his doppelganger from when he was young. Would he be able to protect her? With his magic sword and friends to back him up, how could he lose?

Once again Ethan revisits the runestone only to face challenges and find adventure, danger, surprises, and an epic battle.

Excerpt:

The dragon’s scaly head broke the surface of the pond and burst into the ebony sky like a missile, sending cattails and sleepy dragonflies spewing from both sides of the pond. Her long neck was quickly followed by a massive body that glowed a blood red on the underside. Free from the confines of the pond and finally airborne, the front legs unfolded releasing her magnificent crimson wings edged in shining gold. She flapped once, sending the trees bending to her glory and flames belched from her mighty jaws illuminating the moonlit night. Then, pointing her nose toward the cave the draugrs guarded, she flapped once again and rocketed through the night sky like a giant ruby ready to explode.

Fafnir sat on his bat watching the spectacle, then followed at a safe distance to avoid the prop wash created by her wings and magnificent tail. The cave, a half-day’s hike from the cottage on foot, was a mere three flaps of the monstrous wings – and all eyes looked up – marveling at her arrival.

Buy Links:

Amazon

A little about Peggy Chambers

Peggy Chambers calls Enid, Oklahoma home. She has been writing for several years and is an award-winning, published author, always working on another. There aren’t enough hours in the day. She has two children, five grandchildren, and lives with her husband and dog. She adores travel and the great outdoors, even if it is just taking the dog for a walk and once ate warthog pizza for lunch when she followed her husband across deepest, darkest Africa. She even climbed the pyramids at Chichen Itza.

She attended Phillips University, the University of Central Oklahoma and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma.   She is a member of the Enid Writers’ Club, Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc., and Oklahoma Women Bloggers. There is always another story weaving itself around in her brain trying to come out.

Connect with Peggy here:

website // FaceBook // Twitter // Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

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A visit with Candy Hearts author Angela Hayes

Today I get to talk to one of my favorite people and authors, my Candy Hearts sistah, Angela Hayes. Her CHR selection GOT LOVE? drops tomorrow, and it’s a goodie! Stick around until the end for an excerpt and you can read my review of this fun Valentine’s Day novella. Here’s Angela:

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1. What was the inspiration – aside from the candy hearts candies(!) for your book?

The idea for Got Love? actually grew from an idea for another short story I was trying to puzzle out, that features my main character, Flora’s, best friend Fia. From the beginning I wanted there to be a secret community of fae living among humans and with the Valentine’s theme, it seemed only natural to write about a cupid. Add in a florist and you’ve got the stereotypical Valentine’s bases covered.

Knowing Fia’s story wouldn’t work for the Candy Hearts series I put it on the back burner to write Flora’s and in the process have set up not only Fia’s story, but one for Flora’s other friend, Runa as well.

2. Love the title : GOT LOVE.  Is there a story behind your choice of that one?

When the call went out for Candy Hearts and we were told our titles needed to be found on one of the actual pieces of candy, I hit the net to find a list of choices. Boy, where there a bunch. Keeping in mind that I wanted to use a cupid, when I came across, Got Love?, I thought, what better title could there be! And when I kept visualizing him in a red-tshirt, with Got Love? written in white across his chest, I knew I had a keeper. Sadly, it’s too cold for my cupid, Tharin, to wear a t-shirt, but maybe in the next book.

3. Since the CH series are all novellas, was it harder to write this length than a full length novel? I ask because sometimes it’s hard to fit everything you want to say to serve the story in a certain lower word count.

Working a full-time job and raising tweens makes it hard for me to get any type of writing done lately. But with a rather quick deadline, trying my hand at a novella was right up my alley. Keeping the word count low actually worked in my favor, since I was able to write Got Love? in less than a year!

4. What special things/events/or presents do you give your Valentine(s) every year?

The hubby, kids, and I always celebrate with food. We either head out to eat, or fire up the grill.

5. Best Valentine’s gift (given to you) ever?

I’m going to say this year’s book release will the best gift ever. That’ll be hard to top!

GOT LOVE?

BLURB

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With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, gorse fairy, Flora Hawthorne is up to her neck in flowers, chocolate, and all things romance. She has no time for love, until she comes face to face with her own personal Cupid and the sparks fly!

Looking to settle down, Cupid Tharin Terize wants fairy Flora Hawthorne to be his valentine, not just for one night, but for the rest of time. Now, all he has to do is convince her.

EXCERPT

Tucking a few extra napkins in her coat pocket, Flora picked up her coffee, only to spin around and smash right into a cashmere-clad brick wall.

Aw, snapdragons!” She exclaimed over a chorus of stunned gasps and excited squeals, the contents of her cup now soaking the shirt in front of her. Thinking quickly she dropped the near empty cup, pulled her scarf from around her neck, and used it to blot at the spreading coffee stain. “Sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s my fault, I was too close.”

Flora looked up. All rational thought fled her mind. This was no elf, fairy, or nymph in front of her. Oh, no, this was a cupid! Gorgeous beyond description with tempting chocolate eyes a fae-kin could get lost in for days, he had a neatly-trimmed beard that framed a perfect white smile and dark shoulder-length hair that accented a face obviously carved by The Mother, Cailleach Bheur herself.

“Wow, you are ripped under there, aren’t you?” She admired without thinking, only to blush when she realized what she’d said. The man was in possession of a clearly well-muscled chest and the requisite washboard abs that went with it. “Not that I’m trying to cop a feel or anything,” she confessed. “But that’s nice. Kudos on the hard work by the way.” Shaking her head, Flora mentally chided herself. This was not going well.

Buy Links

Amazon       Wild Rose Press

My Review of GOT LOVE?

 

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