Sue-Ellen here:
Everyone knows Karen and I are friends. So it shouldn't surprise anyone to find me here. I was so pleased when she asked me to visit. I was also reminded of a favorite quote by a 17th C. man of letters:
"Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by doubling our joy and dividing our grief." ~ Joseph Addison
Isn't that the truth? And isn't it perfect for writing friends?
Karen knows I have an Allie Mackay release just around the corner. Haunted Warrior releases Jan. 1st. As an author, Karen knows the importance of getting out word about a new book. As a good friend, she is generously letting me introduce my new book on her blog.
Writers make the best friends for writers.
No one else can begin to understand us. Even if they could, few are willing to accept our quirks. Non-writers can easily think we're crazy. At the least, they often try to change us. Or be helpful in ways that give us hives. Like throwing a surprise party to celebrate a deadline end when all we want to do is crawl into bed and sleep for days.
A writer would never do that.
They know instinctively when to stay away from our closed office doors, giving us space and peace to write. And they know when to step closer, offering a shoulder, a helping hand, or a sympathetic ear.
Writing friends are a writer's secret to survival.
No matter what comes at you, a good writing friend will have your back. And that's vital in a business with as many ups and downs as a roller coaster.
Releases typify that comparison. You might soar to giddy heights. Or you'll hurtle at breakneck speed into an abyss. Whatever happens, your writing friend will be there to celebrate or commiserate.
I have no idea how Haunted Warrior will be received. Naturally, I hope the book will do well. I adore the hero, Graeme MacGrath, who lives in a fishing village on Scotland's rugged North Sea coast. Graeme is protective of his home and also holds an ancient secret that could destroy everything he loves. Kendra Chase, the heroine, is an American spirit negotiator. A ghost whisperer, if you will.
She can see and speak with the dead. Her job is to soothe disgruntled spirits, usually souls who are angered about disturbances to places they love, such as restoration projects.
It is such an assignment that takes Kendra to Graeme's village, a special place presently being refurbished into a living history site. The local ghosts aren't amused and it falls to Kendra to appease them.
Unfortunately, other forces are stirring in the village. Their menace is the reason, among others, that Graeme isn't at all pleased when Kendra appears on the scene.
Of course, as Haunted Warrior is a romance, they soon find themselves fighting their attraction for each other as well as facing down a very powerful – and, at times, charismatic – enemy.
Here's the blurb:
WHEN DANGER RISES, PASSION IGNITES….
Kendra Chase earns her living as a ghost whisperer. Her work is often emotionally draining, so she's been looking forward to a vacation in Edinburgh. But it turns into a working holiday when an assignment sends her to Scotland's rugged north coast. The tiny fishing village of Pennard is being excavated for a historical restoration project, and the locals aren't the only ones upset by the plans: Supernatural uprisings have been reported.
No one knows better than Graeme MacGrath that his village is a hotbed for psychic trouble. Bound by a centuries-old legacy, Graeme is the fiercest opponent to the development project. The renovation work has disrupted the protective veil between this world and darker, more ancient ones. And though he doesn't have time for dallying with a fetching American, desire –and love– flares between them. Soon Graeme will depend on Kendra for more than her paranormal abilities as they work to save Pennard from the brink of unspeakable evil.
***
Here's a mini-excerpt showing their first meeting.
Set-up: Kendra is walking a deserted Scottish beach when she sees a sexy kilted man high atop the dunes. She continues on and a short while later, she sees him again. But he's down on the strand now. And he's no longer kilted but wearing jeans and a black leather jacket…
Kendra and Graeme's Meeting on the Beach…
He was the man from the dunes.
And he was coming right up to her, his strides long and easy, his dark gaze locked on hers.
"This is no' place for a woman to walk alone." His voice held all the deep, richness of Scotland. "The seas here are aye heavy, the surf rough-"
"Who are you?" Kendra didn't miss that his dark, good looks were even more stunning up close. "Didn't I just see you on the dunes?"
"You're an American." A corner of his mouth lifted as he avoided her question. His sexy Scottish burr deepened, as if he knew the rich, buttery tones would make her pulse leap. "A tourist come to visit bonnie Scotland?"
"Yes." Kendra's chin came up. Hunky or not, he didn't need to know her business here.
She was interested in his. Only Superman could change clothes so quickly.
"Weren't you in a kilt a while ago?" She kept her chin raised.
"A kilt?" His smile spread, a dimple flashing in his cheek. He held out his arms, glanced down at his jeans. "I do have one, aye. But as you see, I'm no' wearing it now."
"You did have one on. A kilt, I mean."
"You're mistaken, lass." He lowered his arms, fixing her with the same intent gaze as he'd done from the dunes.
"I saw you."
"You could've seen anyone. That's why I'll tell you again, this is no' place for a bonnie lassie-"
"I'm not a lassie."
"Nae?" He gave her a look that made her entire body heat.
"I'm an American." The excuse sounded ridiculous. "We don't have lassies."
"Then beautiful women." He touched her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Kendra's pulse beat harder. "There are lots of gorgeous women in the States. Smart women who-"
"Those other women aren't here and dinnae matter." He stepped back, studying her appreciatively. "I meant you."
***
There are lots of reasons I love Haunted Warrior. The setting is real, though I changed the name of the fishing village. In real life, the village is just as special as I tried to describe it in the book. The beach scene at the book's opening was inspired by a walk of my own on that very beach. I, too, saw a kilted man up on the dunes. I just didn't go on to meet him on the beach as Kendra does.
Graeme has the most wonderful dog. He's Jock, and I'm sure dog-loving readers will wish all dogs could be like him. If you read Haunted Warrior, you'll see why.
Along with guarding ancient secrets, Graeme studies seals. Reading Haunted Warrior will allow you to join Graeme and Kendra on a visit to the seals he watches. One of them, a huge male named Bart, is a real character. His scenes were fun to write.
I also loved spending time in the Laughing Gull, a cozy pub in the story.
However the release goes, I'm happy with Haunted Warrior.
I love the book. I'd join the characters in their sweet little North Sea fishing village in a beat, if I could.
What I can do, is share my thoughts about the book's reception with Karen. That's the beauty of a writer friend.
Does your career lend itself to such friendships? Or are your closest friends away from your workplace?
~~~~~~~~
Karen here: Here are the links to buy this delightful book. I've pre-ordered a Kindle version, myself.
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