Cecelia Mecca's Blog, page 16

NEW Tees! Leave your daggers and swords at the door…

Border Series readers are familiar with The Wild Boar. Notorious for its innkeeper, Magge, who somehow manages to keep the peace despite English and Scottish both frequenting her establishment, the inn has been featured in most Border Series books. In one, a very sexy scene unfolds at the inn ensuring The Earl’s Entanglement readers won’t forget The Wild Boar any time soon.

To commemorate the release of The Rogue’s Redemption tomorrow, the brand new tee is available in three colors from XS-2XL on my website. Get 10% off until Rogue’s is released using code ROGUES. Enjoy!

 

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First Sneak Peek of ‘The Rogue’s Redemption: Border Series Book 8’

Brockburg Castle, Scotland, 1273

Reid grew bold as the maid deepened their kiss. When his hand moved upward from her waist, her soft groan was all the encouragement he needed. Certain they could not be seen, hidden in a small alcove at the foot of a rarely used staircase, he explored the curves that had taunted him since she’d arrived the week before. A new lady’s maid at Brockburg, and just what he needed to forget about the selection.

“What is your name?” he thought to ask, breaking contact and watching as his hand reached its goal.

“Anne,” said the pretty blonde.

He could think of nothing else to say that mattered, so he resumed the kiss. Dipping his fingers below the neckline of her very inconvenient gown, Reid finally managed to—

“Brother.”

The unwelcome voice sounded annoyed. The maid pulled away.

Rather than turn toward the sound, he murmured, “Not now,” and tried to resume what had been so rudely interrupted.

The maid, Anne, pushed his hand away and stood ramrod straight. Their interlude was apparently at an end now that the chief had arrived.

Reid turned and watched as Anne nodded a quick bow and ran. Though it was difficult to fully see her backside from this vantage point—

“Christ, Reid. She’s gone.”

He sighed, not caring if Toren noticed. “I’ll assume this is important?”

Toren didn’t answer. Instead, he narrowed his eyes at Reid, eyes the same brown-green as his own.

There was judgment there. As usual.

Though he and his brother disagreed at times, they rarely fought as they had this morning. Apparently his brother was still displeased with him. Maybe even more so.

“There’s been another raid.”

That got his attention.

“When?” he asked as Toren turned and made his way up the stone staircase that led to the great hall. “Where?”

The maid completely forgotten, he followed Toren through the hall’s entrance and then toward the front doors of the keep.

“No more than an hour past. On a farm near the southern border. English reivers. They took naught but cattle.”

Raids, though common in the borderlands, rarely occurred on Kerr land. The Kerrs’ reputation for being fierce warriors had spread widely enough to grant them a modicum of peace.

As they approached the stables, Reid caught the attention of a groom who had just exited the stone building.

“Prepare our horses,” he shouted, and the groom immediately about-faced to do as he was bid. “Where are the other men?” he asked.

When a Hot Trod commenced, it typically included at least five or six clansmen. To ride out with less was a risk not worth taking.

“Already waiting beyond the gates,” Toren said. “It took some time to find you.”

He would not apologize, and Toren wouldn’t expect him to. Instead, they stood in silence until the groom returned with their horses. The man had prepared them with admirable haste.

The brothers mounted and rode through the courtyard toward the gatehouse. Brockburg had just one defensive wall, but its compact design and high vantage which afforded views well beyond its gates, secured it well.

As they met up with the others, Toren looked straight at him. “We pursue but do not kill.”

He nodded his acceptance, and they began to ride out.

Though he hoped Toren would leave their argument be, it wasn’t long before his brother yelled out, “We still need to talk.”

Luckily, their hasty pursuit south toward the border prohibited any further discussion. For now.

Damn Alex. This whole mess with Toren was his middle brother’s fault for giving up his position. Reid liked Clara well enough, but if Alex had not married her and moved to Dunmure Tower, he and Toren would not have spent a good portion of the summer disagreeing about the future of their clan.

The elders would choose a second soon, and while Toren would have it be him, Reid was content as his brother’s chief guard.

“Tracks,” Toren yelled to the men, jarring him out of his thoughts. His brother was right. They were getting closer, and at this pace, the question was not whether they would catch up to the English bastards, but whether he could follow his brother’s decree.

The tracks led them directly to a camp of five men who were very much reivers by the look of them. Oddly enough, there were no cattle in sight and the men they’d come upon did not even attempt to fight or flee. Instead, they allowed themselves to be surrounded by Toren and his men.

Something wasn’t right.

The fools had not even bothered to cross the border into England before stopping. They were either the most inept reivers Reid had come across or too stupid to realize who they’d stolen from.

Reid had just ridden up beside his brother when one of the dismounted reivers rushed toward Toren, moving with astounding speed.

Reid barely realized he’d dismounted or drawn his dagger. He’d positioned himself between his brother and the reiver so quickly that none of the others had time to react. Toren’s would-be attacker lifted his lang spear and positioned it directly in line to hit his brother. Reid tossed his dirk through the air, its aim true. The man howled in pain as the spear dropped from his hand. He threw his other hand into the air, blood beginning to seep through and color his sleeve red.

Reid grabbed the man near the top of his quilted gambeson and yanked his dirk from the man’s arm.

“You threaten the life of the wrong man,” he growled, pressing the blood-stained dagger to the man’s throat. The reiver’s life was in his hands now. If he said the wrong thing, Reid could not be responsible for his actions.

“’Twas foolish,” he cried. “We were caught unaware.”

Reid did not look to his brother for permission. He didn’t glance at any of the other men, knowing he was protected. If the reivers moved, his clansmen would cut them down where they cowered.

“You stole from Clan Kerr,” he said. “You threaten its chief.”

The look in the man’s eyes surprised him. He was entirely unafraid.

“You and your men will come with us to the warden.”

The man offered neither a response nor an argument. The English bastard simply stared straight back at him as if daring him to do his worst.

Reid itched to do so.

“Enough,” Toren called, deciding for him. His brother dismounted and plunged his hands into the saddlebag at his side. He knew precisely what Toren intended. The reivers would be bound and taken to James Douglas, Lord Warden of the Eastern Marches. They would be held until the next Day of Truce, whereupon judgment would be meted out for their crimes.

Reid turned the man around and allowed Toren and the others to begin the task of securing the prisoners.

“Where are the cattle?” he asked, and received glares rather than a response. He caught Toren’s eye, his silent question answered by a shake of the head.

They would let Douglas question them.

One of Reid’s men clapped him on the back, presumably for protecting his brother, but he could not join in his clansman’s relief.

Something was amiss with these men, this raid, and he intended to find out what it was.

Get the extended sneak peek by becoming a CM Insider!

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The Rogue’s Redemption Cover Reveal & Giveaway

He thought himself irredeemable. She knew the truth.

Be the first to see ‘The Rogue’s Redemption’ cover featuring the baddest Border Series bad boy, Reid Kerr. Though the most fun hero I’ve written to date, Reid also gave me as much trouble as he did our heroine, Lady Allie. In a word, Reid is a bit of an arse as his brother Graeme likes to call him. And yet, redeeming him was so much fun. So how is a Scottish warrior known for his attitude brought to his knees by a sheltered Englishwoman? Find out on October 18, 2018.

Don’t miss the special limited time release price by signing up for a new release notice. And if you can’t wait that long, join the Border Ambassadors on Facebook for an extended sneak peek next week!

 

New to the Border Series? Enter here to win one of five digital copies of the first book in the series.

 

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The perfect recipe for an enemies to lovers romance

With The Protector’s Promise releasingtoday, I thought it a good time to discuss one of my favorite romance genres–the enemies to lovers romance. In book two of the Border Series, the two warring families, Clan Kerr and the Waryns, clash in epic fashion when Brockburg Manor is taken back by Bryce Waryn and Catrina Kerr is taken captive. And though many of the tensions from the Border Series books arise from divided loyalties and the turbulent nature of the 13th century Anglo-Scottish border, this book truly pitted two enemies against each other.

And now, because this is one of my favorite tropes, I’ve done it again.

Toss together an English knight, a Scottish lady and a magical stone which can control the fate of Scotland, and we have ourselves an old-fashioned enemies to lovers romance like none other. Sir William (aka “Court”) needs that stone to take the only remaining obstacle between he and the only thing he’s ever wanted, a title and land of his own. Unfortunately for him, Lady Marion needs that stone to protect her homeland; Scotland’s fate depends on it. With a slight touch of magic and one magical unchaperoned trip from the Isle of Skye in Scotland to the wilds of Northumbria, ‘The Protector’s Promise’ delivers what every enemies to lovers romance demands–tension, passion and a wee bit of adventure as well.

In case you’re considering creating your own enemies to lovers romance, here’s the recipe I used. Enjoy! And don’t forget to grab The Protector’s Promise on Amazon for a special .99 release week price. As always, it’s in Kindle Unlimited as well.

Feel free to pin if your Pinterest followers love recipes and hunky heroes.

Celebrating release week with a signed paperback giveaway

With one day until the release of The Protector’s Promise, I have just one question for you. Which hollywood hero would you choose to protect you and why? Eric Northman, the most ruthless vampire of them all? Thor because of his mighty hammer? Sir Lancelot, the greatest knight of all time?

Share your ultimate protector here and automatically be entered to win a signed paperback of the seventh installment of the bestselling Border Series, available September 13, 2018 for .99 for a limited time. Like the rest of the series, Protector’s is also in Kindle Unlimited and can be read as a standalone novel.

~Good luck~

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Why Instagram is becoming my favorite social media platform

When it became apparent Instagram wasn’t going away, I was despondent. I’m not a photographer and had no real desire to become one. The images were all so pretty, and I knew I couldn’t compete. But I jumped in anyway, evolved my account over time, and now, two years later, it’s become my favorite social media site.

 

With a few simple tricks–namely VSCO–a consistent filter and a few basic photography tenants such as the importance of good lighting and the rule of thirds, I’ve been able to not only do my account justice but also connect with some amazing readers and writers. Unlike the other social media platforms, I’m actually able to see posts, and because of the nice photography aspect, it’s pretty to look at too. With stories, I can share exclusives such as the release date of my first PNR series or an first-look at an upcoming historical romance novel such as The Protector’s Promise where readers can get their first extended sample.

Are you on Instagram? If so, be sure to follow me and let you know you’re a reader so I can follow back! And if you’re not on Instagram, don’t let the pretty pictures dissuade you. Grab Snapseed, VSCO and start playing with both. Before long, you’ll be finding new authors and readers to enjoy.

 

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The Protector’s Promise: Now Available on Pre-Order for .99

First appearing in the Ladies of the Stone anthology, the seventh book in the bestselling historical romance Border Series, ‘The Protector’s Promise’ is now releasing on its own September 13, 2018. Since many readers have a copy on their virtual bookshelves already, it is discounted during pre-order to .99 for those who wish to grab it with a brand new cover from the amazingly talented Kim Killion.

Unlike the other books in the series, Protector’s include just a *touch* of magic as Lady Marion is tasked with protecting the stone of Scotland. The only problem? Her nemisis, Sir William, aka ‘Court,’ an English knight, is mysteriously called to the stone as well. Marion is forced to choose between duty and love– which do you think she will choose?

Write Your Way to an HEA: Marketing Part I

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**Write Your Way to an HEA: Marketing Your Book Pt. I**

Join contemporary romance author Maria Luis and I this Sunday for the third video in a 4-video series which tackles publishing and marketing a romance novel. We’ve chatted about writing and publishing the book, but our final topic was just too big for one video, so we’ll be spending two sessions discussing book marketing.

We look forward to see you! on Sunday!

The post Write Your Way to an HEA: Marketing Part I appeared first on Cecelia Mecca.

Say Goodbye to Summer Signed Paperback Giveaway

It’s true. Kids are heading back to school, and I’ve broken out the sweatshirts already for one cool Pennsylvania night so far. But that doesn’t mean summer READING must come to an end! Enter to win one of two signed paperbacks, each from a different series:

The Thief’s Countess has more than 110 five-star reviews and is the series starter to the bestselling Border Series, a historical romance set in 13th century Northumbria.

Falling for the Knight is book two in a 3-book time travel trilogy which currently holds the #1 and #2 spots on Amazon for Time Travel Romance.

To celebrate the FREE ebook (Thief’s is on sale for four days) and FFTK’s top spot on Amazon, I’m giving away both as signed paperbacks to two luck winners. Good luck!

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First Book in Historical Romance FREE for a Limited Time

For five days only, the series starter to the bestselling Border Series is free. For new readers, limited time free book offers are a great way to test out a new authors. Between the free series prequel for new newsletter subscribers and book one, romance readers can jump in and test it out. If you’re a fan of hunky historical heroes and the strong-willed heroines who tame these medieval bad boys, you will enjoy the Border Series set along the 13th century Anglo-Scottish border.

Get The Thief’s Countess free for a limited time on Amazon.

 

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