Cathy MacRae's Blog, page 17

Medieval Monday - meet the author Barbara Bettis

 Why I Love Writing Medieval-Barbara  Bettis
 I’m not sure what calls to me so  strongly from the Middle Ages, but  whatever it is, has done so my entire  life. I think it may be rooted in the  stories I devoured when I first started  reading. Myths, folk stories from  different cultures, tales of Knights of the  Round Table, they all captured my  imagination. It was a different,  fascinating world where anything was possible—in theory. Throughout school, history was a favorite subject, and I loved to delve into the events—and lives of the people—of the past.
As I did so, I recognized that the knightly tales of derring do from my childhood were set amidst times of turmoil, deprivation of the many and reward of the few. I usually root for the underdog, so when my studies introduced me to mercenaries and the bad reputation many of them enjoyed (and they probably did enjoy them), I immediately thought, “But they all must not have been bad. What of the ones who fought to better themselves and didn’t practice cruelty?”
Life was not easy for most people. In the eyes of society at that time, bettering oneself usually meant acquiring land. Few folks had the means or opportunity to do so. Later in the Medieval period, landed-society’s restrictions didn’t allow for commoners to aspire to knighthood, except for very limited exceptions. But in the earlier days, it wasn’t all that unusual for a commoner to rise by reason of bravery, strength, and audacity. All but one of my stories have featured such mercenaries who strive to better themselves by acquiring power and land.
All my stories feature strong women, not at all the norm of the period. Yet discoveries tell us there were more strong women than we realize, although most of them were wed or in the church. I imbue my heroines with strength of character given the times in which they lived.
I love creating the stories of strong heroines we women would like to be and of heroes we’d love to live for.
Bio:
Barbara Bettis grew up in the rural Midwest, where reading was a reward for chores well done. So you can bet she did her chores well—and fast. She loved history and English. She’d intended to major in English, but when she arrived at her small, Liberal Arts college, one of the European history professors was on a Rhodes Scholarship. Once she met the English professors, she defected.
Thus, she received her BA in English with a strong minor in history and her Master’s in English. After working as a newspaper reporter and editor, Barb returned to college and taught English and journalism, later earning a doctorate in Higher Education with an emphasis in journalism.
After her husband died, some former students lured her into their critique group, where she began writing fiction. A trip to Scotland and England solidified her love of the Isles (the small tour group set up a ‘Barb’s Castle Alert’ on their train journeys). Her earlier fascination with the Middle Ages led her into her medieval stories, where she’s been roaming around ever since.
Now that she’s retired from teaching, her ambition is to write an angst-ridden, tortured hero set in the High Middle Ages, but somehow her guys end up with inappropriate senses of humor. Perhaps in the future….         www.barbarabettis.blogspot.com

Medieval Monday Blog Hop - Villain theme conclusion- The Highlander's French Bride

Today brings the villain theme and blog hop to an end. Here is the excerpt in its entirety from The Highlander's French Bride.

Sometimes betrayal is closer than you think.
“Come with me to settle the child,” Lucienne ordered as she lifted her daughter to her hip. With misgivings, Melisende followed her sister up the narrow stairs. Arielle’s large dark eyes stared at her over her mother’s shoulder, and Melisende wrinkled her nose at her in a friendly way. Arielle ducked her head.
Lucienne set Arielle down and ushered her inside the room with a small push of her hand. The little girl stepped inside the room, fingers fisted tight in her mother’s skirt. Lucienne brushed her hand away. “You are wrinkling my gown, ma petite. Haven’t I told you not to rumple my clothes?”
Arielle dropped her gaze then lifted it slightly to stare at Melisende. Her heart breaking to see the results of her sister’s callous behavior, Melisende gave the child a tender smile. An answering one tugged at Arielle’s lips.
​
“She is not muette, she is shy,” Lucienne declared, irritation coloring her voice. “Say bonjour to Tante Melisende, Arielle.”
“Bonjour,” the little girl whispered with a quick glance to her mother.
“Bonjour, Arielle,” Melisende replied. “Comment vas-tu?”
“She speaks Italian more fluently than French,” Lucienne informed her. She rifled through the pile of clothes, snatching a tiny gown from the jumble.
“Oh, I see,” Melisende said, thoughtfully. She gave Arielle a kind smile. “I suppose if I’d been born in Italy, I would, too.”
Arielle’s gaze slid away and Melisende stepped closer to the bed and picked up a small gown to fold. “How bad is it, Lucienne?” she murmured.

“I brought her back for you to raise.”
Melisende cast her a startled look. “You cannot be serious.”
Lucienne bent to unlace Arielle’s gown. “You mean, why would I trust you with my child after you failed so miserably with me?”
“Lucienne! That is not what I mean at all. How can you think of giving up your child?”
Tugging the travel gown over the little girl’s head, Lucienne quickly replaced it with a thin undergown with a plain drawstring at the neck. “There. Hop into bed. It is time you were asleep.”
Obediently, Arielle climbed onto the thin mattress as her mother pulled back the blanket. Lucienne tucked her in and placed a quick kiss to her forehead. “Someone will come for you in the morning.”

Melisende could scarcely believe her ears. There had always been stories or nursery songs for Lucienne as a child. Did Lucienne not remember? She acts as though she can scarcely be bothered by her daughter.
Lucienne motioned her to the far side of the room near an open window. “I am not a good mother. I want to go to parties and wear pretty dresses. Not read bedtime stories and worry about stains on my gowns.”
“But Lucienne, if you are in such difficulty, you will not have these things to worry over as you cannot afford them. You can stay here and—”
“With Oncle Ramon?” Lucienne gave a harsh laugh. “He barely tolerated me the last time I was here.”
“He is family. He will not turn you away,” Melisende declared, though she rather doubted the extent of his goodwill.

“You think not?” Lucienne waved a hand dismissively. “No matter. I have grown accustomed to court life, and I intend to return.”
“But how? If you have no money . . .”
“There is a system. I do not linger long after a party, but the houses are large and an extra guest or two is rarely noticed for a few days. There is always the next weekend retreat.”
“How will you receive invitations as a divorced woman?”
“That is hardly a problem,” Lucienne drawled, her world-weary voice sending chills along Melisende’s spine. Her sister’s eyebrows lifted and a deprecating half-smile pulled at one side of her mouth.

“As poor a mother as I may be, I do not wish to raise my daughter in such a world as I live in. She is old enough to interest some men who are fascinated by young girls. In my position, I would not be able to deny them.”
Melisende’s eyes widened in horror. “She is scarcely three years old! Please tell me . . .” She could not say the words, and her hand flew to her throat, attempting to relieve a choking sensation.
Lucienne shook her head. “Non. But it would be only a matter of time. I have seen the looks.”
“Lucienne, you do not have to go back.”

“Eh bien? And where would I live? With you and your new husband?” She scowled. “You are such a saint, Melisende. Everyone likes you, everyone has a kind word for you. Do you know what it is like to depend on the next person’s grace for an invitation to their home for a few days, for you do not have one of your own? To laugh and pretend `tis a new stain on your gown so your hostess will offer something of hers? To know if no invitations arrive, you will sleep on the street?”

Melisende raised her hands to embrace her sister. “Lucienne, stop! You can live with us.”
Lucienne waved her away. “Non.”
Melisende’s arms fell to her sides. “Why would you go back to such a life?”
 “To the parties,” Lucienne answered, “and the gowns of fabrics so fantastic they make you cry from the sheer pleasure of them. Laces so delicate they can scarcely withstand the needle. Embroidery so fine it takes four seamstresses a week just to produce one sleeve.” Her eyes closed and rapture lit her face. “The men so courteous, so eager to woo me. Dancing, stealing kisses behind the fountain. They tell me how beautiful I am, how much they desire me.”

She opened her eyes, settling her gaze on Melisende’s shocked face.
“Once Raul began annulment proceedings, their interest increased a hundredfold. I will have no lack of sponsors once I return.”
“That is a shameful way to live, and you know it, Lucienne.” Tears burned in Melisende’s eyes. “How can you do this to yourself?” She swept a hand toward the bed. “To her?”
The scorn returned to Lucienne’s face, casting ugly shadows beneath her high cheeks. “You think you know what is right for me. That I should be exactly like you, drowning behind a polite façade. You believe everything is perfect in your little world with your adorable new husband who loves you?” Her eyes narrowed as she slid her gaze to Arielle. “Have you not wondered why she looks like him?”
Melisende immediately looked at the child asleep on the bed. Her dark hair spilled across the pillow like a shadow in the dimly lit room. She glanced back at her sister. “Why do you say that? I think she looks just like you.”

“She has my nose and eyes, oui. But her dark hair comes from her father.”
“Raul,” Melisende asserted.
Lucienne slanted her sister a look. “Non. From your oh-so-sweet husband.”
Melisende’s gaze bounced from Lucienne back to the child. Lucienne’s parting words so many years ago loosed themselves from the depths of her mind. What do you think went on whilst he slept in our house—only me and him? He would be unable to look you in the eye if you knew everything that happened.
She shook her head. Non! It is impossible to think of it! He has already assured me there was nothing between himself and Lucienne. But her heart grew cold in her breast.

Lucienne strolled to the bed and stroked her daughter’s hair. “She looks so much like me. But she has Kinnon’s hair.” Her smile set an arrow in Melisende’s heart.
Brushing aside her doubts, Melisende stepped forward. “Do not be absurd, Lucienne. Her hair is much like mine, and Raul’s is dark as well.”
Lucienne tossed her head. “You do not seem to recall Arielle was born early—or so I told Raul.”
“Lucienne, did you have relations with someone whilst we lived in Randon?” Melisende demanded. “Did you marry Raul knowing you were already enceinte?”

Lucienne sent her a mocking look. “You would love to believe that, wouldn’t you? To keep your lover innocent of the deed.”
“I do not believe you,” Melisende replied firmly, against the reservations that gnawed at her.
Lucienne’s eyebrows raised, a lofty smile taunting Melisende. “Yet you see the resemblance, non? No matter what you tell yourself, you will always know there is the possibility. We spent an entire week together, unchaperoned. You know how insatiable he is, n’ai-je pas raison?” Her eyes glittered. “No matter what you try to believe, you will always wonder if he shared his body with me first.”
 
 
Blurb:
Heir to a lairdship, Kinnon Macrory is driven to prove his worth by fighting the English on the battlefields of France. His dreams of heroic valor are destroyed by the realities of war—the atrocities visited by fellow soldiers on the very people he is sworn to protect. Three years in a French prison for a crime he did not commit leave Kinnon longing for the one thing of beauty in his war-torn life—a young woman of great kindness and wisdom named Melisende.
 
Melisende de la Roche struggles to stay one step ahead of soldiers who would imprison her for helping an injured Scotsman wrongly accused of treason. She finds refuge in her uncle’s shop—until a chance encounter sends her fleeing into the unknown once again, haunted by the beguiling friendship with the troubled young Scotsman she is certain she will never see again.
 
Determined to find the woman of his dreams, Kinnon returns to France, only to discover nothing more than a trail of clues to Melisende’s whereabouts. Their reunion will open the doors to passion, but half-truths and lies from the past could destroy the one thing they both are willing to fight for—each other.
 
Buy link: https://www.amzn.com/dp/B018OHXKHK
 
 

Medieval Blog Hop with Laurel O'Donnell

Laurel O'Donnell is with me today with week 12's excerpt from Angel's Assassin for our villain theme.

What is Damien's true punishment?

Damien eased toward the curtain.  He was between Roke and any form of escape.  Damien knew there was one other exit in the room, an escape route, in the corner of the room, near the bed.  Roke would have to get past him to escape through either exit.
Roke stood absolutely still.  His long black robe covered any movement, any weapon.  He appeared to be at ease.  Too much at ease.
Damien stepped up to the curtain.  He grasped the blood red fabric and pulled, yanking it down.  It fell to the floor in a thick pile.
The small alcove behind the curtain was empty.  The light of the rising full moon shone in through the open shutters on the window.  A gentle breeze pushed passed Damien and snuffed out the candles around him.
“What did you expect to find?” Roke wondered.
Damien knew his mistake immediately.  A trap.  The curtain had been closed to attract his attention.  His gaze darted to the bed.  The black curtains on one side of the bed had been pushed aside to reveal its occupants.  Mother’s large hand encompassed Aurora’s neck as he knelt behind her on the bed.  He held her close against his body, using her as a shield.
                                        * * *
 
Follow along next week for the exciting conclusion at my blog with excerpt #13
www.laurel-odonnell.com

BLURB:
Angel’s Assassin by Laurel O’Donnell
Damien is an assassin, a man with no home and a tortured past. Sold into slavery as a young boy, he is trained to kill with cold calculation, without remorse. As a reward for his ruthless success, he is given a chance to earn his freedom from his cruel master. One last mission. One final person to slay…

Lady Aurora of Acquitaine is the epitome of purity and goodness, beloved by all her people. She lives her life trying to atone for her mother’s cruelty by being a fair and just ruler. Secretly she fears that one day her mother’s murderer will return for her.

When Damien enters Aurora’s life, tempting her with promises of dark passion and forbidden lust, he threatens to tear her peaceful world apart with shadowy secrets of his own.

Can Aurora’s light heal Damien’s dark spirit or will his evil consume her? The eternal battle of good versus evil, love versus hate, dark versus light, all come to a shattering climax in this historical romance set in medieval England.

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON
 

Medieval Blog Hop with Barbara Bettis

It's week #11 in our blog hop. Today's treat is from The Lady of the Forest by Barbara Bettis.

THE LADY OF THE FOREST, Lord Henry and Lady Katherine’s story, has two villains. One, Sir Mortimer, is armed with a royal command to wed Kate and assume control of her holding. Kate and Henry have searched for ways to challenge the order, but time is running out. Henry finally faces Mortimer the day the ceremony is to take place.

Excerpt:
Henry fought for control. A quick move now could be fatal to Kate. He didn’t much care about his own future if anything happened to her. “Harm her and you die here.”
 
Eyes wide, Kate clasped trembling fists to her throat. Then one hand drifted to her gown’s neckline.
 
Henry edged toward them, and Mortimer swung Kate around before him. Not taking his
eyes from the desperate knight, Henry said, “Is this the way you fought in battles, cowering behind women?”
 
He chanced another step. “Is this how you bested de Mohet? From behind? Like a coward? You took the king’s order from him and what, had it recopied with your name? That’s why the seals are missing, isn’t it?”
 
Follow the action next week by visiting Laurel O’Donnell’s blog: http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/blog.html
 
*****
Blurb:
He must pursue his enemy; she must protect her people. Can their love survive the duties that drive them apart?
When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn't an enemy, he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she’s bound by duty.
​
Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate's past catches her.
When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t drive them apart.

Buy links:   AMAZON        TWRP
 

Medieval Blog Hop with Mary Morgan

From Mary Morgan's Dragon Knights Trilogy we find this week's excerpt as Angus battles the villain.

Angus will risk everything to save Dierdre.








Excerpt #10:
“Are ye mad?” hissed Duncan.
 
Ignoring his brother’s outburst, Angus kept his focus on Deirdre, willing her to remain strong.
 
“’Tis mine!” Lachlan lowered his blade.
 
Angus nodded once to Deirdre. She understood his meaning and with her good arm, she swung and punched Lachlan in the face. However, the effort caught her off balance causing her to slip and fall.
                                                * * *
Follow along next week by checking out Laure O'Donnell's blog with my excerpt #11 http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/blog.html

BLURB:
 
Angus MacKay, leader of the Dragon Knights, failed his brothers and his clan upon the death of his sister. Now he must fight the darkness of despair tempting his soul. Back on Scottish soil, he comes face to face with Deirdre who can wield a sword as mightily as his warriors, and takes her captive. Yet, with each passing day, the fire dragon inside him roars to claim the one woman fate has destined for him. 
 
Famed mystery writer, Deirdre Flanagan, is unprepared for the next chapter in her life. On a vacation to Scotland, she steps through the mists and enters into a skirmish alongside a Highlander. However, the fight has only begun, and now she must battle Angus as well as evil in order to claim the love of this Dragon Knight.
 
Will their love be powerful enough to shield them from danger, or burn them to ashes?
  
BUY LINKS:
 
Amazon     Barnes Noble     Kobo     Apple iBooks
 

 

New Book from Cathy and DD MacRae- The Highlander's Viking Bride!

Introducing a new Hardy Heroine you're sure to love!

Katja Sinclair has been emotionally abused and neglected most of her life. Her refusal to become a part of her demanding father's greedy machinations, earns her his scathing disapproval and scorn.

With few options open to her, she accepts marriage to the laird of a neighboring clan--hoping to end the feud between their clans and help right the wrongs to the MacGerrys at the hands of her father.

But nothing goes as planned, and even her marriage to the handsome Calder MacGerry, begun in optimisn, slides into distrust and despair. There are those in the MacGerry clan who despise her for being a Sinclair, and the attacks on her person become bolder.

Forced to fight for her freedom, Katja flees to the Shetland Isles to join her Viking family. There she will discover much about her past--and her future.

Available May 2017

Medieval Blog Hop with Ashley York

Ashley York is with us this week to share the continuing excerpt from The Gentle Knight.

What must Brighit face on the long journey to her life at the priory?

Excerpt #9:
The bald man did as ordered, placing them upon the tables. He sat beside Cole who had already chosen the other table for himself. Ivan stood by the door, shuffling his feet and skulking like a child who'd lost the cat he'd been torturing.
Peter wanted him out of his sight.
"Ivan, sit with your men or be gone from the room."
The innkeeper reappeared with a well-browned pheasant, speared with a knife, on a wooden platter. This time he was followed by a gray-haired woman, probably his wife. She carried a tray of dark bread and offered the upper crust to Peter. Her head bowed slightly.
                                                    * * *
Follow along with excerpt #10 next week on Laurel O'Donnell's blog
http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/blog.html

BLURB: Brighit MacNaughton is an obedient daughter following her father's death bed decree that she take her vows and become the virginal bride of Christ. The hired men seeing her to the Priory at Tanshelf are more interested in the building resentment against the English king than her safety. But when the handsome Norman knight offers his protection against the lecherous mercenaries, he sparks her passion with his gentle touch and smoldering looks of desire, reminding her of dreams best forgotten. Can one night with him quench the intense need in her or will it cause the fire to burn out of control?
Peter of Normandy is a trusted knight of King William, sent north to subdue the unrest and rumblings of revolt at York. Giving aid to an Irish princess more noble than many knights, he is quickly overcome with the need to possess her. With a body meant for a man's pleasure and an unrelenting stubbornness to follow her father's wishes, he struggles against giving her what she wants if it can only be for one night. Will one night of passion prove to be enough or will it unleash an insatiable need that makes him never want to let her go?
 
BUY LINKS:   Amazon    

Free! To Dream of Langston - by Mairi Norris

Free for a limited time!

Blurb:
From the untamed moors of North Yorkshire to the bluegrass pastures of Kentucky, one woman's passion carries her from love's first bloom to a dream of love everlasting.
 
On the brink of womanhood, Katherine Fairbanks glories in the sweet love of the boy next door. When her life is brutally ripped apart by tragedy, she seeks only peace. But betrayal sweeps her far from home and into the hands of a man she dares not trust.
 
While struggling with his own darkness of the soul, Jayce Langston must help his family recover from the devastations of Civil War. He has little interest in taking a wife, but when a mysterious woman pursued by thugs drops in a swoon at his feet as he leaves a New York club, Jayce is both captivated and intrigued. He returns with her to his Kentucky stud farm in hopes of learning her identity.
 
Together, they must learn to trust the love growing between them even as they work against terrifying odds to secure a future where love triumphs over loss.

Click for Amazon link: https://www.amzn.com/dp/B00FISPO4Q

Scottish Highlander Romance Sweepstakes!

Have you read my novel, The Highlander's French Bride? For a limited time, you can enter to win this book plus more than 45 fantastic Scottish Highlander Romance novels from an amazing collection of authors, PLUS A KINDLE FIRE!
 
Enter the contest by clicking here: bit.ly/scot-highlander-rom
 
When you’re done, leave a comment to let me know you’ve entered!

Book Release for Mairi Norris!

Happy Book Release Day to Mairi Norris and her next book in her Ballad of the Rose novels, Scent of Wild Roses!

A knight of King Henri and a beautiful serf are caught up in a web of intrigue … and the lure of abiding love.

Return to the post-Conquest world of the powerful D’Auvrecher family with subterfuge, duplicity, danger… and the lure of abiding love
 
Blurb:
​
Sir Evart D’Auvrecher, home from Crusade, travels through the New Forest to take up a newly assigned duty. His journey is interrupted—the hard way—when outlaws attack.
 
Captured, tortured and abandoned to a slow death, Evart is rescued by Annice of Aiglantier, an apprentice healer with an unusual talent. Her birth is a mystery, her early years cloaked in shadows, yet Evart is captivated by her exotic beauty. Love blossoms between them like the wild roses of her home, Aiglantier Keep.
 
Soon they learn the attack against Evart was but one strand of a complex web of intrigue—a net in which they are now entangled. The deadly scheme threatens the very throne of England. While they seek to solve the mystery of Annice’s past, they must also work to unravel the conspiracy before England is embroiled in civil war.