Kemberlee Shortland's Blog, page 5
September 9, 2015
AVAILABLE NOW

by me...Kemberlee Shortland :-)
Price: $7.99 (SALE $2.99 through Sept!)
Buy Here: Tirgearr Publishing
This box set includes all of the stories in the Irish Pride Series:
Rhythm of My Heart - Eilis Kennedy, gave up a singing career to become an Artists Representative with Eireann Records. Kieran Vaughan is just the talent she needs to contract who will really launch her career, while at the same time getting her out from under her boss's thumb. Fergus Manley vows to have Eilis in his bed at any cost.
A Piece of My Heart and the short story sequel, Constant Craving - Ten years after their break-up, the addendum in Mick's father's will forces Mick and Kate together to save Mick's heritage. Kate thought she was falling in love with Mick all over again, but a new revelation is too much for her. She is determined to finally say goodbye forever to her childhood sweetheart. Mick has other plans for Kate's future. And none of them involve goodbye.
Shape of My Heart - Gráinne moonlights at The Klub! to earn money for college tuition. John ‘JD’ Desmond is an undercover detective. The Klub!, owned by Jimmy Malloy, is being used as a drug front, headed by the notorious Taylor 'The Hunter' Wade. JD wanted Gráinne to snitch for him, but things get complicated when they fall in love. When Gráinne witnesses Jimmy’s murder, she and JD are forced to run for their lives.

Published on September 09, 2015 02:54
September 4, 2015
My current WIP
I cut my author teeth writing historical romances, because that's what I loved reading. Write what you know, right? So there's some irony that I've mostly only ever published was contemporary romance.
Well, I've decided to dig out one of several completed historicals I wrote a good long time ago to revise and hope to publish next year.
Under the Hawkes' Wing is the quintessential tortured hero story. Lord Bravin Hawkes has seen some horrible things happen in his 29 years, and to understand some of them, one must be a little familiar with the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (1639-1651).
Those three kingdoms includes England, Scotland, and Ireland, and with each of those countries, there were different segments of wars which had their own names:
Siege of Drogheda, Ireland
aka Rape of Drogheda, 1649England:
The English Civil War (1642-1651)
Scotland:
The Bishops' Wars (1639-1645)
Scottish Civil War (1644-51)
Ireland:
Irish Confederate Wars (aka The Eleven Years' War 1642-1653)
The Cromwellian War (1649-1651)
By 1653 when it was all over and Charles II had returned to England from exile in France and reclaimed the throne (1660), several things had happened:
Execution of King Charles I (1649)
Exile of Charles II (1646)
Defeat of the Irish Confederates (1648)
Defeat of the Scottish Covenanters (1640)
English Parliament reduced to a Rump Parliament (1648 and 1659)
Establishment of the Republican Commonwealth, ruled by Oliver Cromwell (1653-1659)
Oliver Cromwell
Lord Protector 1653-1658Oliver Cromwell's name is at the top of the advanced wars as he rose to power as the Lord Protector. He'd refused the title of King as he was disestablishing the monarchy...a King being a monarch...so he took the term Lord Protector of Great Britain. And as a Parliamentarian, Old Roundhead, as he came to be known, ruled with as much an Iron fist as he had on the battlefield. When he passed away in 1658, it was his son, Richard, who took up the role until Charles II could reclaim his throne in 1660.
It was during this horrible time that people were forced to chose their allegiances -- side with the crown to save the monarchy and take on the title of Royalist, or Cavalier...or side with Cromwell and the Parliamentarians, or Roundheads...a term given for the very short hair member wore, which countered the long haired members of the monarchy. It seems that as an act of protest, when Charles II claimed the throne of England, he brought with him from France many of the court fashions, such as sumptuous fabrics and flamboyant costume, and longer hair and ostentatious wigs.
This is where my story comes in. The Hawkes family had had strong allies and connections with many people around England during the reign of Charles I. After his execution and a new parliament was established, those allies were forced to take sides. The Hawkes remained loyal to the crown, while many of their allies converted to Parliamentarians. Old ties and bonds were broken, promises and oaths dissolved, and those who had been closest to the family were now mortal enemies who often went to war between them.
Charles I
Reign 1625-1649My hero, Bravin Hawkes, was born in 1641, the year Charles I was executed and the English Civil War began. He grew up in a life of national turmoil, but he had a loving family who tried keeping peace for the sake of their children. Bravin learned everything a young boy of his station was meant to learn, and upon his father's murder, became a man very quickly--forced to care for his father's estates, care for his grieving mother, see to his siblings' educations, and everything else that comes with manhood. He was happy when Charles II claimed the throne, but those loyal to the defunct Roundheads still had their axes to grind.
Part of putting the family back together post-Civil War included taking a wife. It was encouraged by Charles II that Bravin take a bride from one of the family's former allies, as a means to recapture alliances and strengthen the nation under a new monarchy. It wasn't a love match, but they were making it work.
It was when his wife died in childbirth that her family went to Charles II with accusations of murder. While Bravin was cleared of murder, he decided to bury himself in work, his estates, and his family...trying to stay out of the political spotlight. He became a very hardened man of 29 when this story opens.
Three years after the death of his wife and child, just as Bravin has buried himself in things to help him forget the tragedy in his life, the body of a woman is found in the woods on his estate. Unconscious and alone, the only choice is to bring her home to Hawkeswing for care. When she wakes, they'll return her home.
Charles II
Reign 1660-1685But what happens when she claims to have no memory. The longer she remains at Hawkeswing, the more endeared Bravin becomes to the woman, who is known as Becca by an embroidery on her kerchief. Continued searches turn up no family searching for a missing wife, sister, or daughter, so now her future must be decided.
For Becca, she has her own troubles. She has no memory of her past, but many worries about her future. She's a bright and intelligent woman, as it turns out, who's strong willed and knows her own mind. She recognizes that Bravin can put her out at any time, but sees gentleness and empathy in him. She knows he'll care for her forever, perhaps even find her a husband, should her memory never return. She needs to find a way to show her appreciation for all he's doing for her, and potentially will in the future, and with the help of his estranged family, she's sure to put a smile back on his face before she leaves Hawkeswing.
Of course, as love stories go, they will fall in love. But that's not the end of the story. Indeed, that's only the beginning. Where does her allegiance lie? Is her family Parliamentarian or Royalist? Do politics matter when love is involved? Will she ever get her memory back? Will she ever find her family to know any of these things?
You'll have to read the book! In the meantime, I've put up an excerpt if you care to read it. I'd love to hear your comments. Drop me a note on Facebook or Twitter and share your thoughts. Don't be shy. I love hearing from readers :-)
Have a great day!
Well, I've decided to dig out one of several completed historicals I wrote a good long time ago to revise and hope to publish next year.
Under the Hawkes' Wing is the quintessential tortured hero story. Lord Bravin Hawkes has seen some horrible things happen in his 29 years, and to understand some of them, one must be a little familiar with the Wars of the Three Kingdoms (1639-1651).
Those three kingdoms includes England, Scotland, and Ireland, and with each of those countries, there were different segments of wars which had their own names:

aka Rape of Drogheda, 1649England:
The English Civil War (1642-1651)
Scotland:
The Bishops' Wars (1639-1645)
Scottish Civil War (1644-51)
Ireland:
Irish Confederate Wars (aka The Eleven Years' War 1642-1653)
The Cromwellian War (1649-1651)
By 1653 when it was all over and Charles II had returned to England from exile in France and reclaimed the throne (1660), several things had happened:
Execution of King Charles I (1649)
Exile of Charles II (1646)
Defeat of the Irish Confederates (1648)
Defeat of the Scottish Covenanters (1640)
English Parliament reduced to a Rump Parliament (1648 and 1659)
Establishment of the Republican Commonwealth, ruled by Oliver Cromwell (1653-1659)

Lord Protector 1653-1658Oliver Cromwell's name is at the top of the advanced wars as he rose to power as the Lord Protector. He'd refused the title of King as he was disestablishing the monarchy...a King being a monarch...so he took the term Lord Protector of Great Britain. And as a Parliamentarian, Old Roundhead, as he came to be known, ruled with as much an Iron fist as he had on the battlefield. When he passed away in 1658, it was his son, Richard, who took up the role until Charles II could reclaim his throne in 1660.
It was during this horrible time that people were forced to chose their allegiances -- side with the crown to save the monarchy and take on the title of Royalist, or Cavalier...or side with Cromwell and the Parliamentarians, or Roundheads...a term given for the very short hair member wore, which countered the long haired members of the monarchy. It seems that as an act of protest, when Charles II claimed the throne of England, he brought with him from France many of the court fashions, such as sumptuous fabrics and flamboyant costume, and longer hair and ostentatious wigs.
This is where my story comes in. The Hawkes family had had strong allies and connections with many people around England during the reign of Charles I. After his execution and a new parliament was established, those allies were forced to take sides. The Hawkes remained loyal to the crown, while many of their allies converted to Parliamentarians. Old ties and bonds were broken, promises and oaths dissolved, and those who had been closest to the family were now mortal enemies who often went to war between them.

Reign 1625-1649My hero, Bravin Hawkes, was born in 1641, the year Charles I was executed and the English Civil War began. He grew up in a life of national turmoil, but he had a loving family who tried keeping peace for the sake of their children. Bravin learned everything a young boy of his station was meant to learn, and upon his father's murder, became a man very quickly--forced to care for his father's estates, care for his grieving mother, see to his siblings' educations, and everything else that comes with manhood. He was happy when Charles II claimed the throne, but those loyal to the defunct Roundheads still had their axes to grind.
Part of putting the family back together post-Civil War included taking a wife. It was encouraged by Charles II that Bravin take a bride from one of the family's former allies, as a means to recapture alliances and strengthen the nation under a new monarchy. It wasn't a love match, but they were making it work.
It was when his wife died in childbirth that her family went to Charles II with accusations of murder. While Bravin was cleared of murder, he decided to bury himself in work, his estates, and his family...trying to stay out of the political spotlight. He became a very hardened man of 29 when this story opens.
Three years after the death of his wife and child, just as Bravin has buried himself in things to help him forget the tragedy in his life, the body of a woman is found in the woods on his estate. Unconscious and alone, the only choice is to bring her home to Hawkeswing for care. When she wakes, they'll return her home.

Reign 1660-1685But what happens when she claims to have no memory. The longer she remains at Hawkeswing, the more endeared Bravin becomes to the woman, who is known as Becca by an embroidery on her kerchief. Continued searches turn up no family searching for a missing wife, sister, or daughter, so now her future must be decided.
For Becca, she has her own troubles. She has no memory of her past, but many worries about her future. She's a bright and intelligent woman, as it turns out, who's strong willed and knows her own mind. She recognizes that Bravin can put her out at any time, but sees gentleness and empathy in him. She knows he'll care for her forever, perhaps even find her a husband, should her memory never return. She needs to find a way to show her appreciation for all he's doing for her, and potentially will in the future, and with the help of his estranged family, she's sure to put a smile back on his face before she leaves Hawkeswing.
Of course, as love stories go, they will fall in love. But that's not the end of the story. Indeed, that's only the beginning. Where does her allegiance lie? Is her family Parliamentarian or Royalist? Do politics matter when love is involved? Will she ever get her memory back? Will she ever find her family to know any of these things?
You'll have to read the book! In the meantime, I've put up an excerpt if you care to read it. I'd love to hear your comments. Drop me a note on Facebook or Twitter and share your thoughts. Don't be shy. I love hearing from readers :-)
Have a great day!
Published on September 04, 2015 04:16
July 26, 2015
Newly Interviewed!
I've been pinned down by the lovely TK Geering for an interview.
No more recluse author lifestyle for me ;-)
Seriously, it was a lot of fun. TK is a great lady to have a chat with.
Check out the interview here.
* * *
A Russian Gift of Love
by TK GeeringTK is also an author. She publishes at Tirgearr Publishing. Check out her latest book -- A Russian Gift of Love.
Vicky is a successfully published author, but this is just a cover for her real job as Detective Chief Inspector dealing with espionage/anti-terrorism.
Nick, a Russian sleeper agent posing as a firefighter, moves in next door. His contract: to fulfill the hit on Vicky.
After an ankle injury, he ends up spending Christmas with the doting Vicky.
It's not long before friendship turns to love.
Awesome story. Wish it was longer!
* * *
Thanks for the interview, TK!!!
No more recluse author lifestyle for me ;-)
Seriously, it was a lot of fun. TK is a great lady to have a chat with.
Check out the interview here.
* * *

by TK GeeringTK is also an author. She publishes at Tirgearr Publishing. Check out her latest book -- A Russian Gift of Love.
Vicky is a successfully published author, but this is just a cover for her real job as Detective Chief Inspector dealing with espionage/anti-terrorism.
Nick, a Russian sleeper agent posing as a firefighter, moves in next door. His contract: to fulfill the hit on Vicky.
After an ankle injury, he ends up spending Christmas with the doting Vicky.
It's not long before friendship turns to love.
Awesome story. Wish it was longer!
* * *
Thanks for the interview, TK!!!
Published on July 26, 2015 12:14
June 29, 2015
Something old is new again

Vials containing sand from Whitby, and
Silver Sand and earth from the
Carpathian Mountain Region of Romania
near Count Dracula's home.So, I got this in the post today.
A pen, you say?
Who cares, you say?
What if I were to tell you that this pen has connections to Vlad Țepeș...
Vlad Drăculea...
Vlad the Impaler...
Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia...
Dracula!!
Well, it's all true, and I have a certificate of authenticity to prove it!
Signed by the Reverend Canon David W. Smith, Rector of St Mary's Parish Church in Whitby and Ruswarp, England.
The timber used to craft this unique pen is reclaimed from the old church after renovations, and has been certified that the timber felled for the church dates back to the 17th century.

OK, so Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, was alive in the 15th century, but Bram Stoker's Dracula had slightly more recent ties to the church with his creation of Count Dracula, in his work Dracula, published in 1897.
The box contained a great little booklet with history about St Mary's and the connection to Count Dracula of Bram Stoker fame.
It includes some photos and some interesting narrative.
I think just as interesting are the vials of earth and sand included in this nifty box.

Well, based on the story, the ship, The Demeter, sailing from Varna to Whitby was full of silver sand for ballast, and several coffins filled with 'mould', or earth.
Whitby, being a coastal community, would have sandy beaches.
So a bit of sand from both countries and Bulgarian earth to represent what was in the coffins.
From Chapter 7:
9 August -- The sequel to the strange arrival of the derelict in the storm last night is almost more startling than the thing itself. It turns out that the schooner is Russian from Varna, and is called the Demeter. She is almost entirely in ballast of silver sand, with only a small amount of cargo, a number of great wooden boxes filled with mould.
From Chapter 8:
For a moment or two I could see nothing, as the shadow of a cloud obscured St Mary’s Church and all around it.

Whatever my expectation was, it was not disappointed, for there, on our favourite seat, the silver light of the moon struck a half reclining figure, snowy white.
The coming of the cloud was too quick for me to see much, for shadow shut down on light almost immediately; but it seemed to me as though something dark stood behind the seat where the white figure shone, and bent over it.
What it was, whether man or beast, I could not tell…
Of course, now I want to reread Bram Stoker's Dracula (a free read these days).
How cool would it be to visit Bran Castle (you've got to see this video with the volume up!)?!
And I've only to drive down to Dublin City to see the house at 30 Kildare Street where Stoker lived while writing Dracula.
For anyone interested in buying one of these one of a kind hand crafted pens (they also do ballpoint), just contact York and Beyond, who also sell pens with historic timber from Yorkminster Abbey, and timber felled on the Bronte estate.

Published on June 29, 2015 13:48
June 23, 2015
Where I live
I'm often asked about my life in Ireland...where I live, and as a writer, where do I research, where do I write, where do I get my ideas... 'Where' being the question.
Where, indeed.
Where I *have* lived since I came to Ireland over 18 years ago have included places like Shankill, Co Dublin; Bray County Wicklow (neighboring towns really on the county line); Douglas and Macroom, both in County Cork; Monasterevin, Co Kildare.
And most recently, and my personal favorite, is Mornington, Co Meath, which is where I currently live, get inspired, and write.
Why is Mornington my favorite place? Well, here's my backyard:
Lady Finger Tower (l), Mayden Tower (r), and
the old boat house
Mayden Tower, aka Mornington Tower, is a medieval
lighthouse which protected ships entering the
River Boyne for Drogheda
The mouth of the River Boyne, looking out to the
Irish Sea, and Mayden Tower Lighthouse.
The Spirit of Oysterhaven yacht, entering the River
Boyne and sailing toward Drogheda for the
2015 Maritime Festival. The Lord Mayor of
Drogheda at the helm.
Where the River Boyne meets the Irish Sea.
In the distance, the entrance into Carlingford Lough
and the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Northern Ireland.
The Irish Sea and view to Skerries, Co Dublin
from Mornington Beach.
Poppy (l) and Daisie (r) enjoying paddling in the brackish
waters of the River Boyne.
If this wasn't enough, the surrounding area is pretty stellar too, with places like Newgrange, Trim Castle, Skerries Mills, Hill of Tara, Hill of Slane, the historical port town of Drogheda, and so many others to inspire me.
Part of the novelty for me living on the east coast is the sunrise. Growing up on the Pacific, sunsets were always amazing. I still love them. But a sunrise over the sea is equally fabulous.
Solstice Sunrise - 2014So...this is my 'where'. Pretty neat, eh?
Where is *your* 'where'?
Where, indeed.
Where I *have* lived since I came to Ireland over 18 years ago have included places like Shankill, Co Dublin; Bray County Wicklow (neighboring towns really on the county line); Douglas and Macroom, both in County Cork; Monasterevin, Co Kildare.
And most recently, and my personal favorite, is Mornington, Co Meath, which is where I currently live, get inspired, and write.
Why is Mornington my favorite place? Well, here's my backyard:

the old boat house
Mayden Tower, aka Mornington Tower, is a medieval
lighthouse which protected ships entering the
River Boyne for Drogheda

Irish Sea, and Mayden Tower Lighthouse.

Boyne and sailing toward Drogheda for the
2015 Maritime Festival. The Lord Mayor of
Drogheda at the helm.

In the distance, the entrance into Carlingford Lough
and the Mourne Mountains of County Down, Northern Ireland.

from Mornington Beach.

waters of the River Boyne.
If this wasn't enough, the surrounding area is pretty stellar too, with places like Newgrange, Trim Castle, Skerries Mills, Hill of Tara, Hill of Slane, the historical port town of Drogheda, and so many others to inspire me.
Part of the novelty for me living on the east coast is the sunrise. Growing up on the Pacific, sunsets were always amazing. I still love them. But a sunrise over the sea is equally fabulous.

Where is *your* 'where'?
Published on June 23, 2015 04:56
June 16, 2015
SALE: One Night in Dublin
Heads up, my lovelies. One Night in Dublin is now on short special through the weekend. Grab this great story for just 99c/99p at all Amazons!
Click here to chose your favorite Amazon site:
http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Shortland_Kemberlee/one-night-in-dublin.htm
And if you send me a review for it, and post it on Amazon, I'll give you one of my other books to say thanks! ;-)
Click here to chose your favorite Amazon site:
http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Shortland_Kemberlee/one-night-in-dublin.htm
And if you send me a review for it, and post it on Amazon, I'll give you one of my other books to say thanks! ;-)

Published on June 16, 2015 14:11
May 18, 2015
Congratulation to Angela Medendorp!
Congratulations to Angela Medendorp for winning my fabulous and unique Irish gift...a piece of Ireland from the folks at A Piece of Ireland and the Macroom Land Trust!
Angela will receive a certificate of ownership for a plot of land in West Cork, Ireland, as part of the Macroom Land Trust's land preservationist scheme to help preserve part of the West Cork Greenbelt.
Some interesting Macroom facts:
Macroom is noted in the annals since 550 adA main region in Ireland for Druid places of learningBrian Boru fought battle here to claim Kingdom of MunsterHeadquarters of the McCarthy clan from 13th century (see Blarney Castle)Homeplace of St. Finbarr, Founder of CorkWilliam Penn, founder of Pennsylvania lived here
And loads more. A very interesting region to explore, and a great base for sightseeing the south and southwest of Ireland.
Congratulations, Angela!
Thank you to all of you who followed my tour last week. If you get a chance to read One Night in Dublin, I'd love to hear your thoughts...as I would any of my books you read ;-)
And thank you to Writer Marketing Services for organizing my tour.
Angela will receive a certificate of ownership for a plot of land in West Cork, Ireland, as part of the Macroom Land Trust's land preservationist scheme to help preserve part of the West Cork Greenbelt.
Some interesting Macroom facts:
Macroom is noted in the annals since 550 adA main region in Ireland for Druid places of learningBrian Boru fought battle here to claim Kingdom of MunsterHeadquarters of the McCarthy clan from 13th century (see Blarney Castle)Homeplace of St. Finbarr, Founder of CorkWilliam Penn, founder of Pennsylvania lived here
And loads more. A very interesting region to explore, and a great base for sightseeing the south and southwest of Ireland.
Congratulations, Angela!
Thank you to all of you who followed my tour last week. If you get a chance to read One Night in Dublin, I'd love to hear your thoughts...as I would any of my books you read ;-)
And thank you to Writer Marketing Services for organizing my tour.

Published on May 18, 2015 03:26
May 8, 2015
One Week in Dublin
Help me celebrate One Night in Dublin by spending the week with me while I visit some awesome blogs.
I'll be giving away a special prize to one lucky commenter!
Monday - 11 May - http://kdgrace.co.ukTuesday - 12 May - http://erzabetsenchantments.blogspot.comWednesday - 13 May - http://eroticaforall.co.ukThursday - 14 May - http://adrianakraft.com/blogFriday - 15 May - http://locglin.blogspot.com
Please join me!
I'll be giving away a special prize to one lucky commenter!

Monday - 11 May - http://kdgrace.co.ukTuesday - 12 May - http://erzabetsenchantments.blogspot.comWednesday - 13 May - http://eroticaforall.co.ukThursday - 14 May - http://adrianakraft.com/blogFriday - 15 May - http://locglin.blogspot.com
Please join me!

Published on May 08, 2015 09:04
April 17, 2015
Winners from my Goddess Fish Promotions tour
Thank you to all of you who followed my recent tour, which was organized through Goddess Fish Promotions. Readers can check out the reviews either through links here, or by logging into Amazon.
We have winners!
Congrats go out to reader, Sidney Abbott, and to tour hosts at The Reading Addict who both one a unique gift from Ireland -- a plot of land through Macroom Land Trust, a land preservation scheme in West County Cork's greenbelt.

I'm still on tour in May. This one organized through Writer Marketing Services. I'm touring the week of the 16th of May and will be offering one lucky follower a piece of Ireland as well! Mark your calendars --
Monday, 16 May: KD Grace
Tuesday, 17 May: Erzabet's Enchantments
Wednesday, 18 May: Erotica for All
Thursday, 19 May: Adriana Kraft
Friday, 20 May: Books and Banter
We have winners!
Congrats go out to reader, Sidney Abbott, and to tour hosts at The Reading Addict who both one a unique gift from Ireland -- a plot of land through Macroom Land Trust, a land preservation scheme in West County Cork's greenbelt.

I'm still on tour in May. This one organized through Writer Marketing Services. I'm touring the week of the 16th of May and will be offering one lucky follower a piece of Ireland as well! Mark your calendars --
Monday, 16 May: KD Grace
Tuesday, 17 May: Erzabet's Enchantments
Wednesday, 18 May: Erotica for All
Thursday, 19 May: Adriana Kraft
Friday, 20 May: Books and Banter

Published on April 17, 2015 08:02
March 16, 2015
On Tour And Feeling Like A Rock Star!

Yep, I'm going on tour. Virtual tour, that is. Check my tour dates here --
MARCH
Tuesday, 17 March: The Celtic Rose
Wednesday, 18 March: Sharing Links and Wisdom
Wednesday, 25 March: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
Wednesday, 25March: Romorror Fan Girl
APRIL
Wednesday, 1 April: Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock
Wednesday, 1 April: Harps Romance Book Review
Wednesday, 8 April: Marlow Kelly History and other Ponderings
Wednesday, 8 April: The Reading Addict
MAY
Monday, 16 May: KD Grace
Tuesday, 17 May: Erzabet's Enchantments
Wednesday, 18 May: Erotica for All
Thursday, 19 May: Adriana Kraft
Friday, 20 May: Books and Banter


Published on March 16, 2015 08:55