Cecelia Mecca's Blog, page 10

Exclusive Sneak Peek of My Highland Bride

Breywood Castle, Kingdom of Edingham

Erik

“Do you love her?”

The upper chamber of the gatehouse becomes completely quiet, and for good reason. It’s an impertinent question—beyond impertinent—but I can almost admire my new squire for his bravery. Then again, the boy came to us from a small village a sennight ago, knowing nothing about knighthood, so perhaps he does not realize he is being brave.

“Did yer ma never teach you to shut yer mouth, boy?” scoffs Boyd, one of my guards.

Ignoring the boy’s question, which I have found is the best approach, I say, “Boyd, the smith’s son spotted a riding party on his way back from the village. He thought they might be from the king.”

My squire jumps from his seat. “I met the king once!” he says, as excited as I’ve ever seen him. “I remember it, aye. The King of Meria.”

Boyd and the others snicker.

“You met the king, did you?”

The guardsmen clearly do not believe young Bradyn. To be fair, when he arrived at Breywood on the back of a cloth wagon, he hardly looked like a boy who’d once met a king.

“Do you remember his colors?” I ask him.

Bradyn nods eagerly. “Aye, Lord Stokerton. Red and gold.”

The men still aren’t impressed. Personally, I don’t much care if Bradyn is being truthful or remembering incorrectly. If indeed the king’s men are coming this way, I need to know immediately. A perfect job for an eager young squire.

“Climb up to the watchtower. As soon as you see red and gold banners approaching the gate, run to the training yard as fast as those two legs will carry you to tell me. Aye?”

“Aye, my lord.”

Without waiting, he immediately does as he was bid, scrambling up the circular stone stairs.

“Why would the king’s men come here?” Boyd asks as the others break away and go about their duties.

A good question. One I don’t have an answer to. Our men, led by the first commander, Lord Scott, set out for the king’s court to treat with him. Surely they have arrived by now, but would they have returned so quickly? And if so, why didn’t the smith’s son mention the two parties were traveling together?

“Could they be returnin’ with Scott?”

I move to the slit on the westernmost wall and peer out. Nothing but grass and trees.

“He made no mention of the queen’s banners.”

Boyd grunts. “Is she aware we may have guests?”

“Nay, but I’m off to tell her now. She’s at the yard. Make sure the boy sends word once he sees them.”

This grunt, different from the last, tells me he’s displeased. My choice of squire has raised his ire, which is too damn bad. Does my new squire ask too many questions? Aye. Does he know anything about being a squire? Nay.

But he jumped down from that wagon in the courtyard of Breywood Castle just after we had learned about the raid along the border that had seen his parents slaughtered. I hadn’t thought to saddle myself with a squire again so soon after my last one received his spurs. Indeed, I’d vowed to remain squire-less for the foreseeable future, but I made the mistake of meeting the boy’s eyes.

Besides, turning a homeless and parentless farmer’s son into a knight is not the most difficult task I’ve ever undertaken.

I take my leave and begin walking toward the training yard. Though it would be faster to walk the allure, I need time to think on the implications of this royal visit from our longtime enemies.

After I met with King Galfrid’s commander earlier this month, Cettina agreed to send a contingent to discuss terms with the king rather than mount an immediate counter-attack. Though the queen had the support of the Curia, many outside her inner council thought she was being soft.

They want war against Meria, always.

Especially after learning Galfrid sent two hundred of his best knights against us. That those men sunk to the bottom of the ocean in a shipwreck before arriving at our shores, the king’s only son and heir one of them, matters little to the warmongers among us.

But the more I think on it, the less I believe these men have any connection to Lord Scott. Our banners have not been spotted. Which means these representatives of the king come of their own accord.

“Commander.”

Nodding in greeting to the smith’s apprentice, I hurry forward, anxious to speak with Cettina.

Do you love her?

I’ll need to give Bradyn a talking-to. The rumors about Cettina and me are persistent enough without any help. There is no need for my own squire to perpetuate them.

I hear the clang of swords before I see men at the quintain. Bradyn rotates between training in the yard, on the horse Cettina provided him, and with the men. He has a long way to go—others younger than he already display enough skill to see real battle—but I have every confidence he will rise to the challenge.

“Your shadow is missing,” a young knight teases as I walk toward her.

“On guard duty,” I respond, making my way toward the queen.

Her skill with the longsword grows more impressive each day. Cettina’s insistence on learning to use it is just one of the many reasons we find ourselves the subject of flapping tongues.

Seeing me, she steps away from her opponent, hands him her sword, and nods to the edge of the yard. I meet her there, where it’s slightly less noisy, and waste no time.

“The king’s men have been spotted in the village. I assume they make their way here.”

Cettina purses her lips together and looks me straight in the eye.

“Is Lord Scott with them?”

I shake my head.

“Our banners were not spotted.” I glance down at her attire, similar to the other men in hose and a surcoat with no gown to be found. “I told Bradyn to fetch me as soon as they are spotted coming through the gates. Perhaps you should prepare for them.”

She lifts her chin in defiance. One thing I’ve learned from serving Cettina is that she rarely does as she’s willed. Not by me and not by her first commander, even though she trusts Lord Scott implicitly. None of the Curia can compel the queen completely to their cause.

It is the reason I would give my life for her.

Unlike her father, she will do what she believes is right no matter the consequences. One day, I fear, such willfulness will get her killed. In the meantime, she is our best chance for returning Edingham to our ideals.

“I will meet them as such.”

As the first queen of Edingham, or this Isle, Cettina has no precedents to follow. And apparently receiving her enemy’s men in a tunic and hose will be an acceptable practice moving forward.

“Afterwards, we must talk,” she adds.

“Your Grace?”

It annoys her when I use the title in private, and indeed, her eyes flash back at me.

“I know you returned from Murwood End talking of peace with Meria, but it will never come to pass unless we gain Lord Moray’s support. Just yesterday my brother-in-law was seen speaking to MacKinnish.”

My hands ball into fists. MacKinnish has little love for Cettina, and I even less for her bastard brother-in-law. I refrain from reminding Cettina that it was she who pardoned her excommunicated sister and brother-in-law and allowed them to return to the castle last year as one of her first acts as queen. I understand why she did it—her sister’s treatment was unjust—but there’s no denying Lord Whitley has been a pain in the arse ever since. He’ll not rest until he’s fully undermined Cettina.

“If we are to convince the Highlanders to stand down, we need Moray,” she continues.

She’s not wrong. Gaining Lord Moray’s support for peace would placate the Highlanders and force those in Edingham who do not live in the mountains to follow, but unfortunately it will never happen. She knows this.

“He hates my family nearly as much as he does yours. Moray will never enter the fray, Cettina.”

Again, that look. “There is no man the Highlanders will listen to more.”

“We’ve dismissed this idea before.”

“You and Scott have dismissed it, not I. Moray’s support becomes ever more important as my brother-in-law stirs the Lowlanders. I will not be forced into war.”

“Are you asking my advice as your commander, or are you ordering me to treat with him as my queen?”

I know the answer before she gives it.

“That, my dear Stokerton, is an official order.”

Goddammit. It will be a waste of valuable time we do not have. Born and raised in the Highlands, I know they’re much too stubborn to be convinced of anything against their will.

“Very well.”

I bow as Cettina takes her leave. My family land borders Moray’s, so at least I’ll be able to pay a visit to my family.

“Oh,” she calls back over her shoulder, “while you’re there, perhaps you should enter so you might champion your queen. It would do well to remind everyone why you were chosen for this position.”

I watch her walk from the yard toward the keep, trying to make sense of her words. Enter? Champion?

And then I remember.

 

My Highland Bride is coming January 7th. Enter to win a signed paperback here.

 

What’s Coming in 2021

It’s been one hell of a year, and I can honestly say I’m looking forward to 2021 more than most new years. I’ve got lots of exciting projects in the pipeline and am excited to share some of them, so here goes:

Ordre de la lame brisée

All five Order of the Broken Blade books are being translated into French as we speak. They will be released, starting with Le Forgeron (The Blacksmith) beginning in early February with a new book coming every other month. Sign up for the French newsletter here.

 

Königreiche von Meria

Speaking of translations, also coming in early 2021 are the Kingdoms of Meria books to the German Amazon store beginning in January. Those will follow their English releases by approximately 4-6 weeks. Check out the first two covers including Meine Highlander-Braut or My Highland Bride below! Sign up for the German newsletter here.

      

Speaking of Kingdoms of Meria . . .

Although book two isn’t yet into the world– coming January 7th– I’m already planning books three and four. Although I have no titles or covers to share, I can say share one hint about book three. When you get to the end of My Highland Bride, come back to this post and, if you’ve seen Cursed, you’ll understand this clue about our third hero in the series. (Minus the weeping part. And also, I love Daniel Sherman.)

Look for the next installments in the series to be released in May and late September or early October. Get updates on Kingdoms of Meria by signing up here.

 

 

Last but not not least!

If you’ve been reading my books for a while, you know from 2017-2019 I released the Border Series, Order of the Broken Blade and collaborated with some amazing authors on Enchanted Falls and Highlanders Through Time. So why only two new medieval romance books in 2021? One big juicy reason– my pen names.

Let’s start with C.L. Mecca and Bloodwite. I know, it’s been too long. And I will really, really try to finish this series in 2021. My goal is to add the final book early fall. But that is not written in stone, and if you’d like insight into the reasoning here, email me at cecelia (at) ceceliamecca.com. I love hearing from readers!

And then there’s the brand new pen, Bella Michaels. She (me) is on a roll! With two books out in the Boys of Bridgewater series, Last Call and Billion Dollar Date, a brand new prequel is coming January 7th. If you’ve not ventured into contemporary before, this is the time to give it a shot.

Starting January 2nd, Overruled by Love, a sexy lawyer prequel novella, will be released FREE exclusively to newsletter subscribers ahead of its January 27th release. This page will update with each weekly newsletter giving out the entire story one day pre-release. Although starting in January, it will be password protected, so be sure to sign up for the Bella Michael’s Insider here.

 

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Whew. I think that about does it. What are you most excited about for 2021? Leave a comment below and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My Highland Bride Goodies

A few fun surprises for My Highland Bride, the second book in Kingdoms of Meria series, coming January 6th. Enjoy!

 

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Desktop Wallpaper

 

Phone Background

 

Phone Background

 

Phone Background

Finding Free Books on Author Websites {How To Guide}

I have a confession.

I start reading a LOT of books. Discovering new authors is a fun pastime for me. I’ve recently re-joined Kindle Unlimited, a subscription program for books which all of my own happen to be enrolled in as well, so I can test out new reads without commitment. However, when not enrolled in KU, purchasing ten books in a sitting to find one to read just isn’t practical.

Another option? Discover new authors to read with their free offerings. Not all authors have them, but many do. And it’s simple to find free books on author websites. Here’s how:

Already know an author? Maybe a friend recommended Maria Luis to you? Easy enough. Head to her website and look for “free” or “sign up” on the page. Often authors will ask for you to sign up to their newsletter to receive their, in Maria’s case, “freebie offerings.”
For example, if you navigate to the homepage of this website, you’ll see “free” along the top page. Clicking that link will take you here, a newsletter signup which sends new readers to me the free prequel novella to my 11-book Border Series.
Not sure which author you’d like to sample? Find one however you discover new authors . . . Amazon search or categories or Goodreads perhaps? Once you do, head to their website and look on the top menu bar or search for their newsletter signup. For example, Emma Prince who writes historical romance (we even have a co-authored Scottish time travel series together) lists a free Viking historical romance short story smack dab in the middle of her homepage.

Once you’ve signed up for the author’s newsletter, check your inbox. Nothing? Take a peek in your spam folder and, if you’d like to continue receiving that author’s newsletter, add their email to your address list. Then voila! Download and read your new free story or book and hopefully discover your new favorite author.

Find Your Next Great Read with BingeBooks

 

How do you find new books to read?

Personally, I listen to friends’ and readers’ recommendations. Since I read in Kindle Unlimited, I check out that category on Amazon and sometimes cold search for whatever I happen to be hunkering for. Scottish time travel or medieval alpha male. But it’s an imprecise science since I do spend more time surfing sometimes than actually reading. And while there are a few sites out there to help readers discover new books such as Goodreads, I honestly haven’t found one to be excited about…until now.

Enter BingeBooks, a site which helps readers find great books and discover new authors,  You can find all my books there, organized by series tabs on my author page. At Bingebooks.com you can explore new genres, read long book openings on the web or on your mobile, leave comments and questions for authors, listen to audiobooks, create and share book lists and lots more.

Check it out (and follow me) here. Leave a comment below to let me know what you think of the site!

Find You Next Great Read with BingeBooks

 

How do you find new books to read?

Personally, I listen to friends’ and readers’ recommendations. Since I read in Kindle Unlimited, I check out that category on Amazon and sometimes cold search for whatever I happen to be hunkering for. Scottish time travel or medieval alpha male. But it’s an imprecise science since I do spend more time surfing sometimes than actually reading. And while there are a few sites out there to help readers discover new books such as Goodreads, I honestly haven’t found one to be excited about…until now.

Enter BingeBooks, a site which helps readers find great books and discover new authors,  You can find all my books there, organized by series tabs on my author page. At Bingebooks.com you can explore new genres, read long book openings on the web or on your mobile, leave comments and questions for authors, listen to audiobooks, create and share book lists and lots more.

Check it out (and follow me) here. Leave a comment below to let me know what you think of the site!

My Highland Bride: Surprise Cover & Blurb Reveal

 

Dear Reader,

Here in the US, it’s almost time for pumpkin pie and…My Highland Bride? Well, not quite, as book two in Kingdoms of Meria will not be out until January 2021, but in the meantime, for loyal readers subscribed to chat with Vanni, I’m pleased to share the cover. Speaking of Goodreads, if you plan to read the book, add it to your want-to-read list by clicking here. This helps spread the word, so thank you again in advance for that. While you’re there, be sure to check out the blurb too.

xoxo,

Cecelia

Protected: The King’s Commander {Bonus Epilogue}

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The King’s Commander Pronunciation Guide

 

Kingdoms of Meria, my first solo historical romance series, is officially into the world at an Amazon store near you. The King’s Commander, the first book in the series, brings readers to an Isle they’ll find somewhat familiar (think Vikings and Knights and Highlanders) but one that is also novel as well. What’s this new book all about? Check it out:

He cared only for duty—until he met the one woman who could claim his heart.

My mission is clear.

I’m to go to Murwood End, the land of the Voyagers, to retrieve the king’s secret son. With the heir dead, it’s our only hope for saving our kingdom from those who would destroy us.

But complications arise from the start. No one knows when the king’s son will return from his latest mission, or at least no one will say. And his closest friend—a woman, a Garra—seems to loathe me on sight. A further complication: I’m completely captivated by her. In Meria, Garra practice their healing arts in secret, but there’s nothing covert about this bold, beautiful woman.

In the beginning, I tell myself I’m only pursuing Aedre Lorenson for her connection to the king’s son, but I know it for a lie. She has awakened something in me, and I’m torn between doing my duty as the king’s commander and following my heart.

 

Because the kingdoms of Meria and Edingham and the independent Murwood End are also new, some of the names may be a bit unfamilar as well. So without further ado, here is a pronunciation guide if you’re into that sort of thing. Any way you pronounce words in your head is a-ok with me. But this is how they sound in my brain:

Aedre

https://ceceliamecca.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/AEDRE.m4a
Vanni
https://ceceliamecca.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/vanni.m4a
Garra
https://ceceliamecca.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/garra.m4a
Edrys
https://ceceliamecca.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/edrys.m4a
Kipp
https://ceceliamecca.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/kipp.m4a

 

Murwood End
https://ceceliamecca.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/murwood-end.m4a
Meria
https://ceceliamecca.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/meria.m4a
Edingham
https://ceceliamecca.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/egind.m4a

 

Looking for additional pronunciations? Comment below to let me know! ANd (horror of horrors) if you haven’t read The King’s Commander yet, head over to Amzon now!

The King’s Commander {Sneak Peek}

 

Castle d’Almerita, Kingdom of Meria

Vanni

“They’re all dead.”

So the rumors are true?

“I came right away,” I say as the man I’ve served my entire life buries his head in his hands. One by one, the others pile into the throne room behind me. King Galfrid doesn’t even seem to notice. Standing, he moves to the window. I wait with the other members of the Curia as the most powerful man in the kingdom slips his hands over his bowed head in complete despair.

“Vanni?” the king’s chancellor whispers to me. I shake my head. This moment deserves silence. Reverence.

Friends. Brothers in arms. We’ve lost so many this day.

Including the king’s son and successor.

A warm breeze drifts in from the open windows. In the chambers below us, only small, shuttered openings and arrow slits puncture the castle walls. A safety precaution. But we’re so high above the earth up here, only the sea is our witness.

Bright orange and crimson silk hangings flutter in the breeze as our king stands still next to them.

The whole Curia is now assembled. When the heavy wooden doors are closed behind the last of us, my liege finally turns to address the men assembled before him.

“The rumors are true. The boat sank this morn, one survivor living to tell the tale.”

My chest swells with hope—could Prince Matteo have survived after all?—but in the very next breath he dashes it.

“The captain’s son lives. As does my nephew, who apparently imbibed too much drink last eve and lasted only a few moments at port before he disembarked. All others perished in the sea not long after the Oryan left port last eve. According to the boy who washed ashore clinging to a piece of wood”—his voice cracks—“its port side struck a submerged rock and the ship quickly capsized and sank.”

We all cross ourselves and mutter words of sorrow for the boy and the implications of Galfrid’s nephew having survived when his son did not.

Matteo. A wave of nausea hits as I think of the prince, the boy who became a man alongside me. The strong and thoughtful son of our king. How could he be gone when just days ago we trained together, Matteo as skilled a swordsman as any.

I push aside thoughts of everyone I knew on board . . . and the fact that I was originally supposed to go with them.

Galfrid needs us now, more than ever. And I live to serve him.

“We will mourn tomorrow,” he says. The king’s voice is strong, but his eyes betray him, at least to me. While all of those present serve at the pleasure of the king, I alone was raised by him. My heart bleeds for him, and for the kingdom.

The loss of Prince Matteo weighs heavily on us both. Despite my intention to focus on the king’s words, I cannot help but think of him. His last moments. His promising future as the king Meria needed. Though not for lack of trying, the king and queen of Meria have produced just one child, and he is now lying at the bottom of the Merian Sea, along with two hundred of our most skilled warriors. The heir to the kingdom is dead.

The king addresses me. “You will go to him. Tell him of what’s happened here. Bid him to return.”

Silence follows his words. None, including me, need to be told of whom he speaks.

I nod.

“He will not come.” Thomas voices what each of us already know.

But Galfrid doesn’t waver. “He must.”

Pinning his hopes, the kingdom’s hopes, on the journey I’m about to take, the king begins to issue further orders. As the Curia, his most trusted advisors, discuss the further implications of this unfolding disaster, I’m already considering who to take with me, whether to journey by land or sea, and what to say when I arrive. As the first commander of the Curia, I should at least be able to gain an audience with him. But will he listen? Will he return with me?

“What say you, Vanni?”

I’d not been listening.

“Apologies, sire.”

Though not temperamental, the king is not a patient man. At his scowl, Ren, Galfrid’s second commander, repeats the question.

“Will we mount another attack on Edingham?”

It was an easy decision.

“We have a more imminent threat.”

The other members of the Curia proceed to argue with each other as if the king hadn’t just lost his child. Some remind Galfrid of the reason he agreed to the attack. Or the preparations we’ve been undergoing for months. Others agree with me, that the king’s nephew will waste no time gathering support to lay claim to the greatest prize in Meria.

Heir to the crown of our great kingdom.

“Enough,” the king says, and the rest quiet. We all know one man’s opinion matters more than the rest.

“Edingham will have to wait until Vanni returns.”

All eyes turn to me.

There are just seven people in all of Meria who know the king has a bastard son. Six of them are in this room. The seventh? The king’s wife, who insisted the babe be sent away.

“He must come.” I can easily read the king’s expression. Hidden beneath his regal bearing and trimmed white beard is a look of gut-wrenching grief and worry. I’ve never seen him like this, and he does not wear the emotions easily. But there’s only one comfort for a king who cares about his kingdom above all else: to know his crown will pass down to a worthy man. His nephew, whom none in the Curia like, does not meet that description.

He must not become the heir. I will ensure it.

 

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