Nancy Lee Badger's Blog, page 23

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Donna Steele

My friend and writing buddy recently returned from a trip that has fueled her stories with the characters and lovely landscape of Budapest and beyond. Take it away, Donna Steele!
Thanks, Nancy.  Budapest Fairy Tale , the fourth book in the Conall Clan series, is now available. Marcel’s story takes us to Europe to continue clean-up of the previous Alpha’s scandals and maybe rock his world.
Blurb When Marcel begins his tenure as Territory Alpha to clean up after Eric Davis’ devastating reign, he heads to Europe to oversee the dismantling of Eric’s holdings there. While in Budapest he makes a life changing discovery and learns what Lou, Brent and Wesley Conall already knowJacquelyn has been in hiding for a long time, escaping what her corrupt Alpha wanted for her, but now that could come to an end, if she can still believe in Fairy Tales . . . Excerpt Jacquelyn Caron entered the bedroom and immediately her shoulders slumped. Once again, Adah had disappeared. How the hell did she get away this time? She was human and should be no match for Jacquelyn.She would have laughed at herself for thinking this would be an easy job, if she didn’t have to face tracking the old lady down again.How did that woman manage to get past her? It was beginning to feel like a contest, and Jacquelyn was losing.Jacquelyn had her scent locked already from previous incidents. She began her search, hoping Adah hadn’t actually left the house this time.That hope was dashed, after she was unable to find the woman anywhere. The cold weather should have kept her from walking far, so she must have called for a car. Jacquelyn had only been in the kitchen a few minutes. Adah had planned her escape carefully. Merde!She stepped outside. Yes, Adah’s scent ended just down from the stoop. What a handful that woman could be! After nearly a year Jacquelyn had learned to adapt, however the irascible old biddy was tenacious when she wanted something. Even though Jacquelyn needed this job and the anonymity it offered, she had also grown fond of the woman, and was concerned about her. She needed to find her. Where would she go?Jacquelyn hurried back to Adah’s bedroom. What had she been stewing on this morning?There were papers spread out on the petite escritoire in her bedroom. Jacquelyn took a seat at the desk and began shuffling through them. She’d been looking at photos of the painting that had been stolen from her family all those years ago.That damn painting! Adah was obsessed with it and had been like a bloodhound tracking it down, finally finding the thing. Her attempt to retrieve it had been brushed aside by the current owner. Jacquelyn had seen the man only once. She’d been stunned to realize he was a shifter and a strong Alpha. He’d treated the old woman like dirt beneath his feet. He knew Jacquelyn was shifter as well, and yet he neither acknowledged her nor responded to her automatic salute to an Alpha. He basically ignored her presence, acting as if she wasn’t standing there behind Adah.Gods, she couldn’t be planning to confront him again, could she?Jacquelyn jumped to her feet and raced to her used Mini Cooper. She knew the way to his estate. It was a place to start. She didn’t feel confident that the Alpha wouldn’t harm the elderly woman. Something tainted about that particular Alpha raised her hackles.
Buy Link atAMAZON




More about the Author
Women Strong Enough For Love Donna writes science fiction, paranormal and small-town romances about women coming into their strength and having the courage to find and accept love.Now that she has retired from going into an office every day, she created an office at home and writes full time. Talk about living the dream!
She was the girl at the party who was yearning for the quiet corner and a book to read (go Rory Gilmore!) and has been writing in her head since she learned to read. Getting those stories down on paper (or in her laptop) has been more fun than she ever imagined it could be.The possibilities of science fiction have always drawn her, and she’s read them all, there just needed to be a little more  romance  in them. She finally got up the courage to write them herself and is delighted to be able to share these stories with you.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter of RWA and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. She can be reached at:www.steelestories.com
www.facebook.com/donnasteeleauthor
https://twitter.com/steele_donna
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/donna-steele

Scottish Games...what a Trip!

Doormat at the entrance to a clan's tent
I just returned from my annual road trip from Raleigh, NC to Lincoln, NH. What a blast! Every year I worry that this 2,000+ mile round-trip is getting harder and harder, but the NH Highland Games and Festival is quite a party! Here are several photos I took:


Honored Band: Royal Canadian Mounted Police 
The beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire
In case you want to investigate what Scottish festivals entail, here are some upcoming events you might consider. I have also added several of my favorites (or soon to be favorites as I expand my trips):


2019Oct. 5-6: Scotland County Highland Games, Laurinburg, NC
Oct 11-19: Celtic Colours Festival, Cape Breton, NovaScotiaOct 12: Indianapolis Scottish Highland Games, IndianaOct. 18-20: Stone Mountain Highland Games, GeorgiaOct. 26-27: Central Virginia Celtic Festival and Games, Richmond, VANov. 2: Charleston Scottish Games, Charleston, SC2020March 14-15: St. Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage Festival, Florida  Feb. 1: Sarasota Celtic Music Festival, FloridaApril 17-19: Loch Norman Highland games, Huntersville,NCJuly 9-12: Grandfather Mountain Highland Games,  Linville, NCSept. 18-20: New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival, Lincoln, NH


Teaching them young!
This is a FRACTION of the hundreds of events around the United states and Canada, Most event websites will help you find hotels and let you buy advance tickets. Kilts and bagpipes are optional!

Another Giveaway Saluting...KILTS and ART!

My latest release, Heaven-sent Highlander , takes place mainly in present-day North Carolina, centering at and around the fictitious Raleigh Museum of Art. This is the second book in my Warrior in Bronze series. I based my stories at the actual North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), but my unlikely hero is from another time. Alex sensed he died in a bloody battle on the fields of Culloden, in Scotland.

Since I just returned from the New Hampshire Highland Games, a huge Scottish festival that spans three days with dozens of kilted marching bands, hunky athletes, dainty dancers, Scottish food, and so much more, I decided to make up a prize that incorporates three worlds: Scotland, North Carolina, and New Hampshire!




Here is what this prize includes: 33 pg Scotland, Essential Guide/MapBrochure describing NCMANCMA Museum Park Map (164 acres!)Upcoming NYC Tartan Day Parade 2020 postcardUpcoming Braemar Gathering 2020 postcardCrayola Classic Modeling Clay pk/8Pocket Notebook & PenBookmark: Heaven-sent HighlanderBookmark: Rescuing Christmas (Oct. 15)My Business CardButterSCOTCH CandyHoney from New Hampshire*an international winner will receive an ebook from Nancy's back listAs always, no purchase necessary.
Hurry! Winner will be drawn October 12th
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canadian Band

Christmas is Coming!

Releases October 15th exclusively @Amazon!

PRE-ORDER HERE FOR SPECIAL PRICING!
AMAZON     
AMAZON UK     
AMAZON CAN     
AMAZON AUS

Friday the 13th - My Kind of Day!

2019 is a special year for a certain date that I always celebrate. This year, both September 13th and December 13th fall on a FRIDAY!


Am I superstitious? Not really. Do I fear black cats? Having owned a couple, I have to say no. 



I do remember knocking on wood and throwing salt over a shoulder in my youth, but I cannot recall the last time I did either. If I had to turn around at times, I would feel the need to turn back the same way. I eventually grew out of it, and wrote it off as OCD.



Like other people in my older age-group (Hey! I was TOO YOUNG to attend Woodstock in '69), the older you get, the less you believe in such things as unlucky days. Since the day I was born, I have always celebrated whenever the 13th fell on a Friday simply because I was born on FRIDAY THE 13th.


I am looking forward to 2020, because it also has two months where the 13th falls on a Friday...and one of them is my BIRTHDAY!


So, while I plan my birthday celebration, I will remind you to consider reading one of my many books. You can find all their buy links HERE . 

Have fun, and mind your step whenever the calendar says 'Friday the 13th'.
Nancy Lee Badger

The Hurricane Dorian Blues...

While writing this post, Hurricane Dorian was predicted to pummel our North Carolina coast with storm surge, high winds, and tons of rain. My Florida relatives made out fine, but we worry about our friends and family here in Raleigh and nearer the coast.

We were ready with flashlights, water, and tons of books on the phone and on the shelves, and we survived!





Find all my buy links HERE

Multi-Author Ebook GIVEAWAY!

I’ve teamed up with 25+ fantastic authors to give away a huge collection of Sci-Fi & Fantasy novels 
2 LUCKY WINNERS will receive an ebook of Heaven-sent Highlander (and ebooks from 25+ other authors)PLUS the Grand Prize Winner will get a brand new eReader
Yes, here is your chance to win my novel plus books from authors like Kevin Hardman, Jeffrey L. Kohanek, Michael Rothman, and more. Just by following me and other great Sci-Fi & Fantasy authors on BookBub!
Enter the giveaway by clicking here

Favorite Summer Reads...and More!

I read a lot. Most is research because a writer writes better when they read what works. Writers, as a rule, do not copy the actual words in books they read, but get a sense of 'what works' and try to make them work in their own stories. 

I read lots of cozy mysteries, but don't write them. I also read quite a few regency historicals, but I have yet to publish mine (in the works!) I love stories about dragons, and have written several of my own. In fact, I created a whole series that I set in Scotland.

Highlanders? Love them and write about them, but the books I read that are written by others are always as different as night and day. Time travel romance and other paranormal romances get my motor running, which is why so many books by me use all these themes. Might I recommend these books for your end-of-summer reading?

Order HERE Order HERE
Order HEREMy next book is a little off track...it is a sweet romance. Yes, there is sexual tension between adults, but they don't jump into bed by chapter three...or at the end. Romance and the awakening of feelings fills the book...think Hallmark TV movies. 

Rescuing Christmas is available for pre-order at an introductory price. Please take a moment to check it out HERE . 

p.s. Heaven-sent Highlander
is now available in print. Check it out on Amazon!

Nancy Lee Badger

Hot Summertime Travels

An opportunity came up for me to accompany one of my sons to visit my mom (his grandmother) in Florida for a short visit. I jumped, since it had been sweltering here in North Carolina. It was hot in Florida, too, but her complex had a pool!

Heavy rains during the drive down pushed us into a big store's parking lot and we got drenched while shopping (someone needed a bathing suit). 

The sun came out and the pool was relaxing. I also noticed the rain had brightened the flowers and leafy plants surrounding the property. It was such a pretty sight and I took a moment to photograph them. 

The rain arrived each afternoon, but we made sure to enjoy the pool early in the day. When we decided to buy lobster and corn instead of heading to a restaurant on the pier, we got drenched when my son dropped us off at the door at Publix. Mom mentioned that if we had followed through with those plans and had parked then walked halfway down an ocean pier to the restaurant, we would have gotten even worse!

The meal was easy to cook, since I'd lived in New England for decades before moving south, although mom's two pots only fit one live lobster each. We had to cook the corn in a lobster bath. It was yummy and I was thrilled to see everyone happy and dry.


We drove back to where the weather was still sweltering close to 100 degrees, but knowing we had enjoyed ourselves and made each of us rekindle a good relationship with my mother is priceless.


I wish we have a pool here in Raleigh, but I can dream. 

In the meantime, I will continue to work on getting my next book ready for release.  

Watch the BOOK tab (above) for the links.

Nancy Lee Badger

COVER REVEAL! Check Out the Next Book by Nancy Lee Badger

My next book is a deviation from the norm. Oh, it has firefighters and a beautiful New England setting, but no open-door sex. This is a Sweet Romance and i hope it will connect with many more readers. 
Book Blurb A Manhattan businessman on a December vacation to Canada, is stuck in Boston due to a snow storm. Instead of waiting for another flight, he drives through the Vermont woods. Forced off the road, his rental ends up in a pond. When a firefighter sliding down the muddy slope to help him slams into him instead, his papers go flying and his phone disappears. Before he can complain, his mud-covered rescuer in firefighting bunker gear is a woman!
After a fire, her injured dad heads to the hospital and hands responsibility for the fire department to her. As acting Fire Chief, Elinor Danville offers the stranded stranger a ride. When she drops him at the Peabody Inn, Ellie explains that Snowflake Valley has no rental cars, taxis, or 5-star hotels Something about this suit-wearing rich guy grates on her nerves, but intrigues her. Unfortunately, her responsibilities include the upcoming Christmas Festival. The lack of snow could ruin everything.
Stuck in Snowflake Valley for several days, Bradley is swept up in the people, their volunteerism, their problems, and commitment to see that the Christmas Festival goes on no matter what. His interest in the town and a pretty firefighter makes Bradley come up with a few ideas of his own. By rescuing Christmas for Elinor and the townspeople, can he make her truly see him, and not the suited businessman only interested in going home?

What? A Christmas story in August? Well, not really. It will be available for pre-order next month then will officially release on October 15th.