Nancy Lee Badger's Blog, page 26

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Local Poet Lisa Tomey

April is National Poetry Month so I am glad a local Raleigh-area poet, and fellow member of the Triangle Association of Freelancers, stopped by to share her latest work. Take it away, Lisa!
Nancy, I appreciate your taking the time to share about my book Heart Sounds, a chap book of poetry. This is my first book of poetry. Much of my work has been as a ghostwriter, but my first language is poetry. This book has been in my heart for several years. It came to life when I reviewed my collection of poetry, which spanned for years, and selected the poems which fit into the theme. 
Blurb:
Heart Sounds is a Chap Book of poems about love in many forms. The focus of Heart Sounds is love in four areas: Family Love, Love of Friends, Love Sounds, and Self Love. While this book is not all-inclusive of the various forms of love, it is a sampling from the heart and more work is in the works.

Excerpt titled  Love Note
Sliced between the pages of cheddar and salamiWas this noteLove it expressedMustard scented tastefulnessLike the seedExuding faithIn a dream come trueHow could I argue with this?Not a chance in a millionI would change my mustard scented noteFor vanilla
*Note from Nancy- This is only one example of the many wonderful poems Lisa has included in her book Heart Sounds.
Buy Links:
Amazon Kindle      Amazon Paperback 

More About The Author Lisa Tomey has been writing ever since she took to the pencil, really getting a true taste at the age of 11 when she was inspired by her 6th grade teacher to keep participating in Creative Writing classes. Her class participated in an anthology of poetry and shared poetry in the various forms they had been studying.
While poetry is Lisa's favorite writing style, she has also written short stories, prose, memoirs, fiction and non-fiction. As a professional, she wrote plays for use in grade schools. She has also written many presentations and speeches for her work. Many years ago, Lisa was bitten by the puppetry bug and created puppets and wrote plays to present with her family at church and for herself to use in the local library. She is working on a book about puppet plays. Due to be published in the fall of 2019, Tomey is also working on another book of poetry, including short stories. As a college student, specializing in journalism, Lisa wrote for her college paper and illustrated her own and other's work. As you can see, writing has infiltrated about every facet of Lisa's life, early on. Connect with her here:
Blogsite      Facebook Author Page 
Twitter     Instagram     Goodreads 
Amazon Author Page  
*Note from Nancy- find out more about Lisa on the TAF Website  

Hot News from Nancy Lee Badger

Hot news! I sat down, while helping Mom in Florida, and redesigned my website. It’s a one-stop place to see all my book titles and learn a little bit about me. Please check it out  HERE
I just returned from spending 6 weeks in Florida. Dad passed away February 2nd and Mom was ill. She is much better, and I am back in Raleigh, NC with dear hubby and my muse, Blaze.


I kept writing while I was away...with my laptop on my lap while sitting in the hospital, or when Mom napped. Edits for Heaven-sent Highlander are complete and the book comes out in less than a month.

An outline and the first 10 chapters of my next book, Heaven-sent Flame, are complete and I will stay busy the next few months creating adventures for my characters.


I came up with several plot ideas and a bunch of scenarios, so I will get back to my writing. Thanks for following me!

Nancy Lee

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Helen Henderson

I invited author Helen Henderson to share her brand new book Tell us all about it, Helen!
Nancy, thanks for letting me stop by. My March 2019 release, WINDMASTER LEGEND is a fantasy romance. What history and time may conceal sometimes refuses to stay lost in memory. Windmaster Legend reveals the story behind the legend of the star-crossed lovers, Iol of the House of Cszabo and Pelra of the House of Pirri. Their legend first appeared in Windmaster, Book One of the romance fantasy series, the Windmaster Novels published by BWL Publishing. WINDMASTER LEGEND can be read as a stand-alone and is available in ebook and paperback formats.
Blurb: Fate conspired to keep Iol and Pelra apart. Friendship is allowed between members of competing trading houses, but nothing more. He loves the sea and wants his own ship. She hates the deep blue and has worked too hard to allow her dreams to be sidetracked by the lure of magic. Despite a beautiful woman on his arm every night, Leod wanted the one he couldn’t have—Pelra. His kin on the ruling council did more than put him on the fast track to his own ship. It provided him the power to fulfill his desires, or to ruin those who refused him.

Exiled to distant posts, given impossible challenges, and subject to Leod’s machinations, Iol and Pelra only have the hope of a future together to sustain them. But can their love survive the accusation of witchcraft?
Excerpt: Moonbeams danced on blond curls surrounding a bent head. The woman lifted her head and tightened her grasp on the instrument cases across her lap.The sight of her red lips excited Leod. There were few female bards, but he had heard whispers of their ability to satiate a man. Finally, a prize worthy of the chase.Loud strumming from the courtyard warned the current tune was about to end. If he wanted to get closer, he had to move before the music ended.But what of the servant? Worry hissed.Warmth at the memory of the satisfaction in the other man’s expression rose up Leod’s neck. He stared at the woman who once again contemplated the skies overhead. “No, that is unacceptable,” he breathed. “I’ll find out who that servant was and destroy him. And if the bard graced him with her favors, then she will be next.” Again, he evaluated the features now cast in moonlight. But until then, she’ll provide a distraction not even council members enjoy.His decision made, he slipped from the shadows into the light of a lantern hanging from a tree limb. “My lady, I am Leod, a seated member of the ruling council of the House of Pirri.” He rose from his best court bow. “At your service.”Surprise stopped his hand in mid-gesture of offering her the glass of wine. The “come hither” smile that normally resulted from his introduction was missing. Instead, there was just silence and a raised eyebrow. He’d heard the bards could strip a man to the bone with a glance or single word. But he’d never believed it. Until now.“The best wine in Stratven for the most beautiful woman.”Assurance filled him. That line had never failed to win over a woman. This one might be a bard, but she was still a woman. However, instead of an encouraging smile, her response was a chilled, “No, thank you.”He shifted to the approach that had bedded him many a fair maiden. “Then may I have the honor of this dance? A man only has the opportunity once in his life to have such a beautiful companion, let alone one bard-trained.”The slight tightening of her lips gave Leod little insight into what he had said wrong. Still, he held the smile that had won over so many women.His target still didn’t submit. Instead, she gave a slight shake of her head. “I appreciate the compliment. However, I am quite content where I am. Maybe you should return to the dance.” Her head-to-toe scan of him added to the fire building under Leod’s skin. “There should be someone there suitable for you.”
Buy Links:

Books2Read    Amazon    Smashwords 


About Helen Henderson: Although the author of several local histories and numerous articles on the topics of American and military history, antiques and collectibles, Henderson’s first love is fiction. Her work in the museum and history fields enables a special insight into creating fantasy worlds. The descendent of a coal-miner's daughter and an aviation flight engineer, her writing reflects the contrasts of her heritage as well as that of her Gemini sign. Her stories cross genres from historical westerns to science fiction and fantasy. In the world of romantic fantasy, she is the author of the Dragshi Chronicles and The Windmaster Novels. In her books, she invites you to join her on travels through the stars, or among fantasy worlds of the imagination. Connect with her here:

Blogsite     Facebook AuthorPage      Twitter 
Goodreads     Amazon AuthorPage  

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Erika Hoffman

Erika Hoffman is a fellow member of the Triangle Association of Freelancers, here in Raleigh, North Carolina, and I invited her to share her latest novel with y'all.

Thanks for having me, Nancy Lee. Why Mama is a mystery novel released February 27th by Library Partners Press.

Book Blurb: 

Why Mama emits a gothic southern, nostalgic aura.  The story revolves around Fancy, a fifteen- year-old figuring out who killed her parents in 1974.  Three narrators tell the mystery.  One is Fancy, an upper-class teen who becomes orphaned on a summer day with gusting hurricane winds. Forced to live with her 19-year-old sister Eve and sis’s lecherous husband in a duplex way off the wrong side of the tracks, Fancy begins her quest.  The mission is clear: to discover the identity of her parents’ killers despite the sheriff’s ruling it was a murder/suicide and despite doubts expressed by many townsfolk regarding her sanity. People—Fancy assumes are allies— betray her. Others, viewed as enemies, help. Another narrator is her sister Eve, whose judgment isn’t sound and who’s subject to panic attacks. Fancy’s best friend Judy is the most objective reporter of the murder and ensuing action.  During it all, Fancy follows leads provided by an albino doe whose soulful eyes remind her of her mother and make the teen question the idea of reincarnation. Because of her mother’s strong Christian faith, Fancy believes her mother could never have committed the crimes she’s accused of. Fancy has many questions she’d like to ask her deceased mama, but the main question is: “Why? Why did this happen to us?”

Excerpt from Why, Mama
Chapter 1Day of Murder Saturday, 3:35 p.m.
Judy
    I banged on Fancy’s backdoor. No answer. Dang! Had she gone to the pool without me? 
    “Fancy? Fancy?” I yelled through the screen door while vulture-like flies buzzed around me. I heard the TV droning inside. A dog barked somewhere inside the Fulcher house, behind a closed door, muted. I pounded the door. I edged the door slightly open. 
    “Mrs. Fulcher? Fancy? It’s me, Judy.” Was that a gasp? “Someone in here?” I inquired again. I felt I should enter, but I knew that her dad owned a massive gun collection, and I didn’t want to be mistaken for an intruder. Half in, half out, I shouted, “Fancy? Mrs. Fulcher, ah, Mr. Fulcher? I’m coming in. Anyone here?” 
    Was that a moan? I opened the door and saw the Corningware dish on the floor, its contents, uncooked—spiraled in all directions and the oven on. I took a deep breath. The mixer was out. A bag of pecans, a bottle of Karo syrup, and a stick of butter, melting, rested on the counter.Fancy often carried her mom’s famed pecan pie to Girl Scout pot lucks or youth group get-togethers. Was Mrs. Fulcher about to make one? 
    “Hello!” I hollered into the kitchen. I listened for a response and heard Buster whining from inside the house, somewhere. As I stepped over the mess and proceeded to the den, I heard a loud exhale.  In the faux leather Lazy Boy slumped over was Fancy’s dad. Blood dripped from his head onto his shirt. 
    Sprawled out nearby was Mrs. Fulcher with a gun barely touching her fingertips. I froze. I knew I should check for a pulse, prop up her head, clear the airway, talk to her, but I forgot all the lessons I’d learned for a merit badge and stood inert—unable to budge. My eyes widened as I spied the phone on the knick-knack strewn end table near the Lazy Boy; I reached across him for it. 
    When I did, Mr. Fulcher’s chair fell backwards, and I tumbled onto his lap, looking upward into his glazed-over eyes. I screamed a scream which ten minutes earlier I wouldn’t have thought my voice box capable of. How much time passed before I dialed 911, I wasn’t sure. 
    “I want to re-re-report a death, maybe two. Not sure.”    “Calm down. Who is this?” the operator asked. 
    Before I replied, a door squeaked open, footsteps echoed through the kitchen, and there in the doorway to the den stood my friend, wide-eyed, wild-eyed, dripping wet and petrified.
Buy Links:
Amazon        Amazon UK
Amazon CA       



More about the Author
Mostly, Erika pens inspirational, non-fiction essays that appear in anthologies such as Chicken Soup for the Soul or in regional magazines like Sasee of Myrtle Beach. She’s had her advice on writing humor published in The Writer in addition to her essays on the craft published in the online Funds for Writers Magazine and on thewritersdigest website.   

Monthly, she composes a column on the subject of writing for a section called The Writers’ Table in the ezine Page & Spine. A compilation of these essays and others form her book called Erika’s Take on Writing. Also, she teaches a course for Olli at Duke University on composing the personal essay. Although her niche frequently is the non-fiction narrative, she’s crafted fictional stories, featured in Deadly Ink Anthologies, Tough Lit. Magazines, and Page & Spine. A book of her published essays on travel will be completed this year: Erika’s Take on Travel.

Besides her other writing projects, she’s planning on more mysteries being a part of her future! Erika taught public high school for ten years and raised four children. Her degrees are from Duke University. She resides with her husband in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.She is a member of NC Writers Network, Triangle Association of Freelancers, and Carteret Writers.  Connect with Erika here: Erikavhoffman.weebly.com

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Nancy Holland

I invited author Nancy Holland to stop by and share her latest book release with my readers. Take it away, Nancy!
Thanks! Felyn’s Curse, book two of the Witch King trilogy, will be released March 5 by Tule Publishing.

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Book Blurb:
Can love and sacrifice conquer a curse?
When Felyn was a young, defenseless witch, she was cursed to live as a shape shifter—a deadly panther. She might have been rescued and raised by a noble and powerful leader, but she lives in fear she will hurt those she loves in her animal form so each full moon she hides deep in the forest. But how can she refuse her adoptive father’s plea for an arranged marriage with a new ally? After all, it’s temporary and in name only…

Varz agrees to an arranged marriage reluctantly because he needs the military and diplomatic alliance. He has secrets and a growing power struggle back home. He's relieved he need only marry the young witch for a year until he meets his bride. Felyn is beautiful and intelligent and not easy to ignore, but Varz is a man of his word. His vow to leave his bride untouched will be the hardest one he has had to keep.
Excerpt:
Felyn woke to the cheerful sounds of a camp on the move toward home. She stretched and sat up just as Varz came into the tent with two bowls of warm breakfast gruel. Suddenly hungry, she stood and took one, then settled, a little awkwardly, on the ornate chair next to the one Varz sat in.“How can I help prepare for the journey?” she asked to break the silence.“You can’t. You must stay in the tent,” he said casually.“What? Why?”“You must appear to my men to now be my woman in every way.”“I know little of such things,” she admitted with a frown, “but I do not see how that would make me incapable of work.”“Not incapable,” he replied with a small laugh, “but too tired from a sleepless night and too content to wish to work.”“Ah.” She remembered such mornings between Thalgor and Erwyn. “And you would be indulgent enough to let me sleep, even in the midst of all the preparations.”“I am a very indulgent man, under the proper conditions,” he said with a look she could not read.“Which do not apply here,” she reminded him primly.He sighed and stood, taking their empty bowls. “Sleep, woman,” he told her, not unkindly.And, strangely, she did sleep. Perhaps because she had slept so little the night she went into the woods.By noon the light was so strong, even in the tent, that she could sleep no more. With a yawn, she dressed, threw all the pillows in a single pile, then went in search of Varz and food.But when she stepped from the tent, she found half the circle gone, people, tents and oxen. She was alone with Varz and his warriors.She nearly collapsed from the shock and grief, but rage won out in the end.She found both Varz and food where he ate a lunch of mutton stew by the cooking fire. She took the bowl the cook gave her and threw it at her new man, hitting him square in the chest.

Buy Links:
Amazon     Barnes & Noble     KOBO
Google Play  Amazon UK     iTunes
Author Bio:

Nancy Holland recently began to live her dream as a full-time writer. Her heroes and heroines want to make the world a better place, struggle to change their lives, and learn to trust each other. After studying books by people from other times and places, she loves to explore foreign cities where she can touch the reality behind their words. Connect with her here:
BookBub      Twitter @NancyHolland     Facebook 

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author M. E. Henderson

I met M. E. Henderson here in Raleigh, North Carolina at a TAF meeting. Marvis and I attended these once a month dinner-optional-but-we-love-to-eat meetings of an organization we both enjoy. The Triangle Association of Freelancers helped me in many ways, and I invited Marvis to share her new book with my readers. Take it away, M. E.!

Nine Lives is my debut novel, writing as M. E. Henderson. This self-published novel was released on Kindle version in October 2018 and the Paperback in November 2018. The story is about the reasons behind a college football player’s decision to stay his senior year or enter the NFL draft after his junior year. His mother understood that football was big business in college and professional sports. Her goal was to keep him grounded.
Book Blurb
“For those that do not know, college football is big business. I am Hunter Eugene Terry, Jr. and I have something that big business wants: Me!” The NFL wanted him too! Should he enter the NFL draft or stay for his senior year of college? If only that decision was the usual football player’s dream of fame. He was different. His near-death experiences and his loved ones dying around him weighed deeply on his mind as he contemplated what to do about his future. In the meantime, while his mother wanted him to finish his senior year in college, his uncle was already counting Hunter’s future earnings. Whom could he trust with his football career on the line?

EXCERPT
“You had no right!” I screamed on the phone. “Calm down, Sis,” Michael replied. “Do not, I repeat, do not call my son again!” “What’s wrong with talking to my nephew about his future?” I did not answer. When the silence went beyond awkward, Michael broke it. He mumbled, “You weren’t like this before, Liz.” “When I thought you had my child’s best interest at heart, I did not mind you talking to him. Your greed is talking, and I will not allow it. I am warning you! Stay away from my child!” Michael angrily retorted, “Well, he ain’t a child anymore. He is twenty years old and he can make his own decisions. So, he doesn’t need to hide behind mommy’s dress anymore. If he wants to…” Elizabeth hit the End Call button on her phone. She was too angry to sit, so she stalked around her bedroom. Her mind was racing, “Should I call Hunter? No, I promised myself I would not interfere. I promised not to interfere. Well, that was before everyone started to interfere. I told Hunter it was his choice. I told him I would support whatever decision he makes. With all these people giving him their opinion, I know his decision can’t be easy.” She could not take it! She decided she would send him a text. She began searching for her phone. She was so furious with her brother until she threw the phone on the bed, however it must have bounced off the bed and onto the floor. As she bent down to look under the bed, she prayed, “Lord, please do not let the phone screen be cracked. That is the last thing I need to happen.” She almost cheered when she retrieved the phone from under the bed. Thankfully it was not cracked. She went to the chair and took a deep breath.   Elizabeth texted her twenty- year-old son, Hunter, a message, “You will do the right thing.” Before she could hit the send button, her phone chimed. Hunter had replied, “I hope so.” Elizabeth knew what she had to do. She dropped to her knees and began to pray. The Lord had heard her cries before. Hunter had been through so much in the last four years. She prayed for the Lord to give her son the discernment to do the right thing. 

BUY LINKS:
Amazon      
Amazon PRINT



More about the AuthorMarvis’ college degrees did not prepare me for the biggest challenges of my life. In 2002, she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It robbed her of the life she planned. Before she became disabled, she served as a branch manager of Employment Security Commission and served in several leadership roles in her community and church.
She admitted, “By 2014, I did not have the energy to take my child to school. In less than six months, he would be entering college. I knew I had to change my lifestyle. Gluten, yeast, and caffeine free were not enough! I unsuccessfully tried water therapy, yoga, and the gym. I finally started urban soul line dancing classes. It worked!”
Because of the change in lifestyle, she is living dreams and creating new opportunities. One of those dreams was writing. She published her first novel, Nine Lives in 2018. She created new opportunities as the Coordinator of Fun and CEO of M. E. Henderson, Inc. She uses urban line dance to throw parties, participate in health awareness activities, and teach classes at Covenant Presbyterian, Holton Career, and Creedmoor Elementary.  She also speaks to audiences about creating positive lifestyles for people with chronic illnesses. She is also the founder and Vice-Chairperson of Lift Every Voice Institute, a 501©3 organization that provides academic and social enrichment opportunities to students and their families. In 2018, she received the ACHI Public Service Award. In addition, while her son graduated from college in May 2018, she started working toward another dream and became a doctoral student in April 2018.
Connect with her here: 
WEBSITE     FACEBOOK     TWITTER
LinkedIn     TAF profile

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Samanthya Wyatt

Thank you, Nancy, for inviting me to be on your blog.I was born and raised in Virginia. When I graduated, I married a military man, we traveled the United Stated and abroad.Ever since I can remember, I have loved curling up with a book. When I was young, I wrote poems and short stories. When my children were in high school, I started writing again. It took years before I gained the courage to submit my work. My first book ‘The Right One’, was published in 2014. Since then I’ve had ten book traditionally and indy published.Even though historical romance is my first love, I also write contemporary romance with suspense. What am I working on now?
Even though historical romance is my first love, I also write contemporary romance with suspense. What am I working on now?
THE FIREFIGHTERS OF STATION #8Passions soar and desires burn hot, yet each is afraid to surrender to love. 5 Men - 5 full length books. Together, the hero and heroine overcome their inner conflict to achieve love completely unaware there is a more dangerous peril—one man’s revenge. AI interviewed some real fireman for the research and background information so I can be as accurate as I can in writing this series. Each book is based on a firefighter with a love story all his own. 
 “MIKE”   The Firefighters of Station #8 – book 1 BLURB Mike Armstrong puts his life on the line every day but he doesn’t like being called a hero. Fighting fires is his job. It’s in his blood. A profession that has made him a confirmed bachelor—until a certain female lights a fire under his skin.Cassie Peters spends her days teaching children and her nights dreaming of Mr. Right. Shy and self-conscious of her curvaceous body, she keeps men at a distance—until she meets the sexy firefighter who keeps her awake at night.Passions soar and desires burn hot, yet each is afraid to surrender to love. Together, they overcome their fear of rejection, completely unaware there is a more dangerous peril. A thirst for vengeance threatens the firefighters of Station #8 placing Mike and Cassie directly in the line of fire.  MIKE buy link:  Ebook   Paperback   
“SHEP”   The Firefighters of Station #8 – book 2 BLURB             Can the hot firefighter prevent her ex from taking her children while trying to find the enemy who has targeted Station #8? S

Enjoy an excerpt from “MIKE”  
“Christ. Pull over.”“What the hell do you think I’m trying to do?” Jared snapped.When the truck jerked to a stop, Mike grabbed the handle and flung open the door. “There’s gear in the back.”Jared called dispatch while Mike ran to the tailgate. He flipped the latch and jerked open the tool chest where he kept spare equipment for emergencies. He grabbed a set of fireproof gloves and jogged to the burning SUV. “Move those people back!” Flames threatened to send them all to hell, but a woman’s echoing screams chilled him to his bones.“This is going to be a bitch with the truck on its side,” Jared shouted.The job would be risky enough even with a fire crew and proper equipment. They couldn’t wait. Mike grabbed a hunk of metal and jerked. The vehicle wobbled, but held. Watching his footing, he climbed.Jared crouched as close to the driver’s window as he could, calling out to the woman. “We’re with the fire department. Trucks and rescue will be here any second. We’re going to get you out.”Mike crawled over the metal, now hot from the flames escaping beneath the hood. Thankfully, the window on the passenger’s side was down. He stuck his head inside, finding a young female he guessed to be about nineteen.“Hi. My name is Mike and I’m going to get you out. What’s your name?”“Sandy. Please help me.” She shoved hair from her face, exposing terror filled eyes—but not panic. Victims who panicked were unpredictable, and most times, a dangerous lot. Fatalities occurred from freaked-out people who lost control. The tone of her voice exhibited strength. She might be anxious, but she’d asked for his help and her eyes begged him to rescue her.“I will. Now listen carefully and do exactly what I say.” He took in every factor, from the top of her head to the bits of broken glass sprinkled about the cab—on the seats, on the dash and across her lap. Thank Christ, she was the only occupant. Blood trickled down her forehead. From his position, and the way she moved, he suspected no broken bones, no sign of a fatal injury. “First. Are you all right? Can you tell if anything is broken?”She glanced down and whimpered. “I don’t think so. My hip and my arm hurts like hell. I slammed on my side. I hit my head, too. All I can see is smoke. Please. Get me out!”“Take it easy.” He crawled inside, as far as his size allowed, with most of his body braced on the car door. “Can you move?”She stretched awkwardly at first. “Yes. But I can’t reach the latch of my seatbelt.”Shit.The clock was ticking and he didn’t have time for mishaps. He jerked off his gloves and tugged on the seatbelt strap. It didn’t budge.“Try pulling on the steering wheel and lift your hips. Hold yourself up as much as you can.”She grabbed the wheel and seemed unable to move. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she started to cry.“Come on, Sandy. I know you can do it.” Sweat dripped from his nose. Heat from the flames crawled closer and he feared time was running out.The click of the latch resounded like a gunshot to his impatient ears. He reached for her. “Take my hands. I’ll pull you up.”A look of horror crossed her face. “What? How? I don’t …”“Move it,” Jared shouted, which meant move your ass.“Take my hands. Now!”When she extended her trembling arms, Mike stretched. “A little more.”Tears streamed down her face. “I’m … trying.”Dammit. A little more.“Mike!”“Come on, Sandy! Reach!”
More About the Author I write because I enjoy it. And because I hope to give someone else the pleasure of a romance. Whether you want to escape reality or just live in the moment of fantasy, I hope you will enjoy a few hours of reading one of my books. Get lost in the pages of a romance. I love to hear from readers. To find out more about me and updates on my books, please visit my WEBSITE 


You can also find me here: Facebook      Twitter       BLOG   Goodreads       Book Bub      Newsletter  

Soul Mate Publishing       Review Site  Email me at:  samanthyawyatt@gmail.com

Nancy Lee Badger Presents Author Maeve Greyson

First off, I’d like to thank Nancy for welcoming me to her blog today to chat about my newest release, KATIE’S HIGHLANDER. A time travel romance from Loveswept—a Penguin Random House Imprint. This book came out just last week on January 22nd. It’s the third installment of my Highland Protector Series about a family of tenth century druid Highland warriors brought forward in time by the goddesses to protect an ancient relic fabled to keep hope and love alive in the world. This book is the third son’s, Ramsay MacDara’s, story.
Ramsay is recovering from the humiliating sting of a gold-digger’s touch and has decided to be a solitary druid. But the gods and goddesses have other ideas. Ramsay is needed back in the past and they’re not about to send him alone. Katie Jenson is an archeologist on sabbatical from Princeton. She wrecks her car on MacDara land, but that wild ride is nothing compared to a jaunt back to the year 917 A.D. with Ramsay. History takes on a whole new meaning and becomes both heart and home.Blurb:
An archaeologist with a zest for life finds herself stranded in small-town North Carolina—with a brooding Highland hunk who’s straight out of ancient Scotland.

Ramsay MacDara wishes the goddesses had left his arse back in the tenth century. That way he never would have met the gold digger who made a fool out of him. A loner at heart, Ramsay is riding his beloved horse through the woods near his family’s North Carolina theme park, Highland Life and Legends, when he hears tires squealing—followed by a thud—and rushes to the scene to help. That’s when he sets his eyes on a pair of long legs sticking out of the moon roof of a car. His interest piqued, the rest of her will soon arouse his greatest desires . . . and deepest fears.

Archaeologist Katie Jenson is on a six-month sabbatical from her job at Princeton University. Following the death of her beloved father—whose dying request was for Katie to live life to the fullest—she’s headed to a friend’s beach house in North Carolina. But a momentary distraction takes her off the road and on the journey of her life . . . with a sex god in a kilt at her side. Ramsay’s passion is the stuff of legend—and it just may be Katie’s greatest discovery.
Get KATIE’S HIGHLANDER at these retailers or wherever ebooks are sold:
Amazon       Apple Books        Barnes & Noble
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EXCERPT:
    Damn. He’s right where he belongs.    The certainty hit her as soon as she saw him. Hit. Her. Hard. So hard, she caught her breath and froze in the archway opening into the great hall.    Ramsay stood on the dais at one end of the cavernous meeting room that sprawled the length and width of the keep. The great hall, as it was known by all, comprised the center core of the stronghold—and Ramsay now reigned supreme over it.    Formidable. Imposing. Arresting. All those adjectives fell short when it came to describing the mesmerizing man who had obviously not only found his element but totally embraced it.    He clutched his spear at his side like a king—no like a Greek god, like Zeus himself holding his scepter as he surveyed Olympus. A different breastplate from the one he’d worn earlier covered his chest. This one reminded Katie of the one Ramsay’s father had worn back at the altar. Highly    polished iron and brass pieces shaped into what she was certain were meaningful symbols were inset into the piece of thick leather armor that had been dyed black and oiled to a fine sheen that reflected the light from the torches and the candles.    Wide stance. Broad shoulders thrown back. Head held high. A heart-stopping leader overseeing all his subjects. When his piercing gaze landed on her, Katie swallowed hard and an involuntary shiver of damn rippled through her. This wasn’t Ramsay, the sweet, hesitant introvert of Brady, North Carolina. This man was Ramsay, the fearless warlord.    He smiled. A real smile that proudly shone from his eyes, then he held out his hand and waited.A gentle but firm push nudged at the small of her back. “Go to him, m’lady,” Flora whispered from behind her. “Dinna fash, I’ll be a standin’ to the side of the pedestal if ye have need of the slightest thing.”    Oddly enough, the knowledge that the mere slip of a girl that she’d just met would be nearby did make her feel somewhat better.    Katie stepped into the room and the rumbling undertone of the multiple conversations evaporated, leaving behind a nerve-jarring silence. She swallowed hard and kept her focus locked on Ramsay as she made her way to the dais and took his hand.    “Yer breathtaking,” Ramsay said as he beamed at her with a look she’d never seen on any man’s face before. It was a shiver-inducing mixture of pride, adoration, and pure primal hunger. He steadied her as she navigated the pair of wide stone steps of the dais, assisting her struggle to keep her long skirts from grabbing her feet and throwing her to the ground.    He kept his gaze locked on her face as he met her on the middle step and pressed his mouth close to her ear right before she’d reached the top. “Truly breathtaking, dear one, and yer all mine.”


More about the Author
"No one has the power to shatter your dreams unless you give it to them." That's Maeve Greyson's mantra. She and her hubby of almost forty years traveled around the world while in the U.S. Air Force. Now she's settled in rural Kentucky where she writes about her beloved Highlanders and the sassy women who tame them.

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We Partied With Robbie Burns

We just returned home to Raleigh, North Carolina. We were invited to attend a Robert Burns' Birthday Celebration by a couple named Chris and Colleen who live in Virginia, just south of DC. We were then asked if we would participate with speeches. We said yes. 

What was I thinking? I write books, but I find I need to do more and more side jobs such as making books covers and speaking to groups. Writing a speech for a Scottish-themed party made sense since my next book, which will be released in April, is Heaven-sent Highlander.

Me and ColleenWith my help, my husband wrote a speech titled A Toast to the Lassies that is always part of the Robert Burns birthday celebrations that take place every January around the world. I was asked to write the response, referred to as A Toast to the Laddies.

Robert burns is Scotland's best known poet, for writing the song Auld Lang Syne plus hundreds of poems. The 500+ mile round trip to this party in Virginia was well worth it. The haggis was delicious and the many bottles of fine scotch made the men smile. We were happy to see that many of those men wore kilts while some of us lassies wore HIghland dresses. 

The 16 in attendance were from all walks of life and had met our hosts in various places. We met them when we attended the Clan MacBean AGM last October during the Stone Mountain Highland Games near atlanta, GA. 

Beverage Area Saluted Robbie Burns
We enjoyed ourselves even though we only knew our two hosts. It is amazing what a nip of fine Scottish whiskey can do to loosen you up!  

Nancy Lee

COVER REVEAL!

My editor, Lori Polito at Soul Mate Publishing, and I are working hard on edits so that the book, Heaven-sent Highlander , will be ready for its April 24th release.

The talented cover artist Anna Lena-Spies at SMP sent along the final cover:




While we wait, consider readingthe first book in the series, Heaven-sent Warrior currently available in ebook and print HERE