Cathy MacRae's Blog, page 18

Cover Reveal -

PREPARE TO BE BOARDED.
If you love historical romance, pirates, adventure and thrills, you'll love this 7-book set by these award winning and best selling pirate romance authors! 


Romancing on the High Seas releases 5/18/17 for the amazing price of 99 Cents!!
​


 
The Pirate’s Debt by National Best-selling Author Katherine Bone:
An earl-turned pirate is ordered by his benefactor to find an adventurous young runaway and return her home.To do so, he must retrieve her without being discovered by the most ruthless pirate hunter on the seas: her brother.

Dead Man’s Kiss by Award Winning Author Jennifer Bray-Weber:
Eight weeks. That’s all pirate captain Valeryn Barone has to escort a tempting naturalist untouched across the Caribbean or face the gallows. Can he resist the beauty who’s fallen for him? Does a dead man walking even have a chance?

The Black Morass by USA Today Bestselling Author Barbara Devlin:
In exchange for a chance at redemption and pardons for his crew, Jean Marc Cavalier accepts a pact that could result in liberty or death, if only he can survive the terms, but at least he will be free.

Pirate Heiress by Award Winning Author Chloe Flowers:
Captain Conal O’Brien has already lost control of his ship to the most unlikely band of pirates sailing the seas. If he’s not careful, he’s going to lose his heart to a notorious lady pirate determined to destroy both.
 
My Lady Pirate by NYTimes Bestselling Author Danelle Harmon:
The sea delivers a handsome castaway to Pirate Queen Maeve Merrick’s island. But her handsome prisoner harbors secrets dark enough to change the fates of nations and threatens their new found love. 

Captivated by the Captain by USA Today Bestselling Author Amanda Mariel:
What happens when an American shipping company heiress crosses paths with a pirate? Can two people whose life paths are at odds find common ground?

Carried Away by Kamery Solomon:
After falling through time and being forced to join a pirate crew, Mark Bell falls in love with his fellow time traveler, Samantha. She's a woman he can't have, though. Will their presence in the past alter the future they know and love?

Pre-order links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Romance-High-Seas-Swashbuckling-Romances-ebook/dp/B06XFYYZX2/
 
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/romance-on-the-high-seas-1
 
 
iBooks: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/book/romance-on-the-high-seas/id1214737722?mt=11

Medieval Monday Blog Hop with Elisabeth Hobbes

It's week 8 in our Medieval Blog hop, and that means Elisabeth Hobbes is here to share the next excerpt from her book, The Saxon Outlaw's Revenge.

Following a failed uprising, Constance Arnaud is forced to watch the execution of Saxon rebels at the hands of her brother-in-law, Norman nobleman, Robert de Coudray.

Is this the end for Aelric?

Excerpt #8:
The soldiers seized hold of Aelric, who cried out and struggled as they dragged him towards his father. Constance’s stomach twisted as if someone had taken a stick and wound it through her guts, coiling it tight.
‘Please don’t!’
The words left her mouth before she could stop herself. She realised she had pushed herself to her feet.
What do you think you’re doing, girl?’ Robert rounded on Constance, his face knotted with fury far greater than he had shown to the condemned men or the boy. The blood in her veins turned to ice, but she could feel her face flushing. The eyes of everyone in the square were on her.
‘Set him free,’ Constance said.
                                              * * * 
Can Robert’s heart be softened? Laurel O’Donnell shares next Monday’s excerpt at http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/blog.html

Blurb from Knight Errant:
At the mercy of her enemy!
Abducted by Saxon outlaws, Constance Arnaud comes face to face with Aelric, a Saxon boy she once loved. He’s now her enemy, but Constance must reach out to this rebel and persuade him to save her life as she once saved his…
Aelric is determined to seek vengeance on the Normans who destroyed his family. Believing Constance deserted him, he can never trust her again. Yet, as they are thrown together and their longing for each other reignites, will Aelric discover that love is stronger than revenge?
 
Buy links        
​US http://bit.ly/SaxonOutlaw
UK http://bit.ly/OutlawSaxon

 

Medieval Monday hop with Jenna Jaxon

This week's villain certainly has his own agenda and cares little or nothing for the heroine's heart.

Read on for an excerpt from Jenna Jaxon's book, Beleagurered.

Excerpt:

Etienne glowered at Geoffrey. “After the affront Seigneur Longford père dealt my house, I was determined you would never wed an Englishman.”
Geoffrey held his ground and stared down the older man. “Just because you did not sanction the marriage, Seigneur de Courcy, does not make it invalid. King Edward himself acted in loco parentis in giving permission for Lady Alyse to wed Lord Braeton. Vows were spoken, and the marriage was consummated.” Alyse ducked her head and looked away. “Their marriage was legally binding. She is a free woman.”
“Then I refuse to release her dowry unless she marries as I say.”

Next week you'll find Jenna at Laurel O’Donnell’s blog. http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/blog.html
                                             * * *
Blurb:
When death holds sway in the world, can even the greatest love survive?
Finally in France, Alyse and Thomas’s passion for one another continues to smolder hot and deep—until one fateful encounter changes everything.
During a formal banquet, Alyse must share an intimate dance her first love. His searing touch proves Alyse’s desire for him is as strong as when they first met. Tormented by this revelation, Alyse is bitterly torn between the love of her life and her love for her husband.
Into this agonizing situation, the disaster of the Black Death rears its head. Alyse, Thomas and Geoffrey must try to save the princess from the ravening disease but at a dire cost to themselves. With her world plunged into chaos, Alyse struggles with her feelings for both of the men she loves. But which love will survive?

Amazon Buy Link for Beleaguered: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LR5WDKC

 

The Winner Is . . .

The winner of the gift card from Barbara Bettis is Sandra Tilley!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by, and to those who left comments. Always a joy to chat with readers!

Guest Author Barbara Bettis on St. Patrick's Day, a Book sale, and a giveaway!

Barbara Bettis is visiting today with some great info on St. Patrick. And, as a special treat, she's offering her book The Lady of the Forest for 99 cents for a limited time--
​AND a chance to win a $5 gift certificate!

So, read up on St. Patrick in her fun post below, scoop up a fantastic book at a fantastic price, and comment below for a chance to win the gift certificate!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! from Barbara Bettis-

Today my latest book goes on sale for 99 cents. Please check out The Lady of the Forest.  AMAZON

To celebrate, I’m giving away a $5 Amazon Gift Card to one commenter.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ’Tis the Wearing of the Green, so pin on your shamrock, watch out for leprechauns and pass the corned beef and cabbage.
Yes, the venerable observance named for Ireland’s primary patron saint has become a holiday throughout the world, often celebrated with parades. Like many holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, the commemoration has taken on multiple layers over the centuries.

At its heart, March 17 is the day tradition says St. Patrick died. Originally it was a feast day, a day of spiritual renewal, and was celebrated from the 9th or 10th Century, although one source says the Catholic Church made it an official feast day in the 1600s.

Who was St. Patrick? He was born in Roman Britain in about 385 AD of Roman-British descent. He says in his Confessio ( Confession) that at the age of 16, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and taken to Ireland where he became a slave and tended sheep. After four years, he escaped when he had a dream in which God told him to go to the coast. He did, and found sailors willing to give him passage (after he prayed for God to give them a sign).

He returned home, where, some years later he reported he had a vision of a man who handed him a letter headed “The Voice of the Irish.” When Patrick started to read, he heard the voices of many saying, 'We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.'"
This inspired him to study for the priesthood. He was ordained and eventually sent to Ireland, arriving March 25, in the year 433.

Some traditions say he brought Christianity to Ireland, but other scholars report that Christian missionaries were already in Ireland when he arrived. However, he took his message throughout the countryside, converting thousands of people and building churches. He is said to have explained the Holy Trinity using the shamrock.  This symbol proved effective, sources say, because the people were familiar with triads from their Celtic deities. However it occurred, St. Patrick was extremely successful in converting the Irish to Christianity.

There are conflicting theories on the year of his death, but the most commonly accepted is 461. He was buried on cathedral hill, (where Down Cathedral later was built) in Downpatrick, about 21 miles south of what is now Belfast, Ireland.
He drove the snakes from Ireland. That’s one of the most famous myths surrounding the saint. In fact, scientists say, there were never snakes on that island.

These days, we’re so familiar with the celebratory nature of the holiday—wearing green, parades, corned beef and cabbage. Oddly enough, blue was always associated with St. Patrick. However, over the years various Irish rebellious organizations adopted green as their color and green has since been associated with Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day.

Ironically, the first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade was held —you guessed it—in the U.S. In 1762, Irish soldiers stationed with the British army in the Colonies marched in New York City.

And that traditional Irish fare of corned beef and cabbage—isn’t. In Ireland, beef was too valuable to be eaten by the ordinary people. They dined on pork—bacon or ham. Not until immigrants arrived in the U.S. to find beef the cheaper meat did it supplant ham/bacon.
Often associated with the Day’s celebration, yet not connected with St. Patrick, leprechauns are straight from the Celtic folk tales. They’re mischievous sprites who love to plague humans and who guard their treasure by fair means or foul.

Perhaps mortals will never find the leprechauns’ gold at the end of the rainbow. But the culture of the world is richer for this holiday honoring the saint who was instrumental in bringing Christianity to Ireland and inspiring a tradition that—for one day—brings people of all nationalities together. Because as the saying goes, “On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish.”
                                         * * *
Sources: http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/history-of-st-patricks-day   
http://www.catholic.org/news/national/story.php?id=73999                 http://www.ireland.com/en-us/articles/st-patrick-facts/   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick#Dating        http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/food-drink/why-do-irish-americans-eat-corned-beef-and-cabbage-instead-of-bacon-for-st-patricks-day-196470851-237570541 https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=101 http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/lebor4.html ( The Tuatha de Dannan)  http://store.isisbooks.com/The_Triple_Goddess_s/401.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_deity     https://ericwedwards.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/the-celtic-triple-goddess-and-the-divine-hag/ http://www.yourirish.com/folklore/legend-of-leprechauns
                                            * * *
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.
 
#Sale 99 cents: The Lady of the Forest.  AMAZON
                                             * * *
 
 Thank you, Barbara! It was great to have your post on this St. Patrick's day!

Readers, be sure to leave your comment below to be entered for a chance to win the gift certificate. If you do not wish to leave your email address (I promise to use it only to contact the winner), you'll need to check back in a couple of days to see if you've won. ~Cathy
​

St. Patrick's Day Special!

DD and I would like to say thank-you to our readers and have put Highland Escape on sale for a few days.

Highland Escape:
https://www.amzn.com/dp/B00X60XB2U

​Fleeing the English army that murdered her family before her eyes, Anna Braxton rescues two young women, kidnapped by a barbaric Highland clan only to find herself unjustly imprisoned by the clan she aided. Disgusted by her treatment, she counters their belated offer of friendship with anger and distrust. But she does not count on the unexpected effect the laird’s son has on her heart. Duncan MacGregor does not understand his da’s command to imprison the young woman who saved his sister’s life. He is more than intrigued with Anna’s skill with a bow and sword—in fact, he is fascinated by everything about her, in spite of her lack of feminine wiles. Straightforward and with a deep-seated sense of honor, Anna Braxton disrupts his entire notion of a suitable woman. Trained as a warrior and unwilling to be any man’s chattel, Anna shuns the idea of marriage—until Duncan coaxes her into a world of acceptance and passion she never knew existed. He wants her as his wife. She will agree, but only on her own terms—conditions Duncan is not sure he can accept.

Medieval Monday Hop with Sherry Ewing!

Welcome to week 6 in our medieval villain hop!

Today I have Sherry Ewing to share a look at the payment for a job ill-done in this excerpt from her book, A Knight to Call My Own.

Excerpt:

Lachlan spat into the dirt afore making his way to her horse. He removed the straps of leather from her reach, but continued to glare angrily as his brother’s retreating back. She supposed with the reins firmly held in the grip of a disgruntled man, such an act resolved any further temptation she may have had on her part to pursue another useless attempt to flee her captors... at least for now.
 
’Twas well she had listened to her inner voice of reason, instead of acting on her chance to leave her abductor far behind. She had a horrible feeling pass through her when she saw Calum reached for a dagger from the back of his belt. He came afore the man whose lapse in judgment had allowed Lynet to, however briefly, escape.
 
“Me laird, I─”
 
The soldier’s words got no further, as Calum raised his arm and slit the man’s throat. A look of disbelief swept briefly across the man’s face afore his eyes went blank. Calum carelessly wiped his dirk on the man’s tunic, giving him a slight push.
                                                * * *
Follow along next week by checking out Laurel O’Donnell’s blog with excerpt #7 at http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/blog.html

Buy Links:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |   iBooks  |  Kobo
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Medieval Monday Blog Hop with Rue Allyn

Thanks for joining me today for excerpt #5 in our Villain-themed blog hop.

Rue Allyn is with me to share from her book, Knight Errant.

The heroine has avoided one trap. Is the danger past?

Excerpt #5:

Juliana waited longer and longer still. She heard the city bells strike midday. Then more footsteps retreated from her door. She had avoided a trap. Robert would be proud of her.
Feeling a bit silly now that the danger was past, she took the dagger in one hand the key in the other hand and walked to the door.
She turned the key and stepped back.
The door flew open, banging against the wall. A priest strode inside. Another man, a giant, followed him. Angry at their invasion, she drew herself up ready to send them away.
Then the priest lowered his hood.
“Basti!” Juliana gasped and hid the dagger in the sleeve of her shirt. Fear threatened to swamp her anger. She must not let him see her fright. She firmed her stance, determined to resist him at all costs.
                                               * * *
Add a comment and let me know what you think. Follow along next week by checking out Laurel O’Donnell’s blog for excerpt # 6  http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/blog.html

Blurb from Knight Errant:

If Sir Robert Clarwyn can't find a way to compel Lady Juliana Verault to return to England, he'll lose any chance of regaining his family lands and redeeming his heritage. Yet Juliana must complete her mission to improve her gender's future in the church. With danger and intrigue mounting, Robert and Juliana must rely on each other and risk everything … including their hearts.
 
BUY LINKS:  Amazon     B & N     iTunes    Crimson Romance

 

Medieval Monday Blog Hop with Lane McFarland

It's week four at our Medieval Blog Hop, and the excerpt today is from Lane McFarland's book, Lindsey.

EXCERPT FOUR
 
The enemy soldiers straightened, their attention focused on her. A burly guard advanced, his dark eyes narrowing. “Who the hell are you? Where’s Cora?”
Another man circled her. He stroked her mud-crusted hair, then squeezed the padding on her bottom. She inwardly flinched and moved out of his reach. Dirty cur.
“Och, the old healer be feelin’ poorly,” Lindsey answered. “I’m ‘ere to fix up the master’s prisoners fer ‘er. Hear tell they be taking them to stand trial, and Master Collins wants ‘em looking guid, their injuries healed.”
She faced the groping man and offered her basket to him while struggling with the overwhelming urge to slam it into his filthy face.
 
Follow along next week by checking out Laurel O’Donnell's blog with excerpt #5 http://www.laurel-odonnell.com/blog.html

Blurb:
The Daughters of Alastair MacDougall Series
Set in late thirteenth century Scotland, this series tells the stories of Laird Alastair MacDougall’s four independent and oftentimes, headstrong daughters coming of age in a country fraught with war and feuds amongst rival clans. Follow his daughters as their lives become intertwined with four fierce, rebel highland warriors bent on eradicating the English soldiers from their homeland.
Lindsey
Who said life was fair? Certainly not Lindsey MacDougall. She rebels at a world dominated by men. Dressed in lad’s clothing, she manages her father’s stables, caring for, breeding and selling horses. Unwavering on performing her duty to the rebellion, Lindsey throws caution to the wind and secretly delivers missives behind enemy lines to the Scottish warriors.
Logan Ross uses his happy-go-lucky smile to warm the hearts of many willing lasses, but it also masks his pain—the pain of his birth. As a bastard son, he is unacceptable for any Laird’s daughter, including the spirited Lindsey MacDougall. However, she haunts his dreams. Determined to prove his worth, he throws himself into the middle of the rebellion, leading men into mortal danger.
After helping Logan escape from a brutal English dungeon, Lindsey fights her traitorous attraction to the virile highland warrior, vowing never to lose her heart to any man.
 
BUY LINKS: AMAZON

Medieval Blog Hop with Bambi Lynn

It's week 3 in our blog hop. I'm so glad you're following along.

​Today, Bambi Lynn features a cruel villain from Lucan, Book 4 of her Gods of the Highlands series, whose acts are calculated to bring the bravest hero to his knees.

​

Excerpt #3:

“’Tis a crime to steal another man’s wife, Munro. I hope ye have not soiled her.” He reached around with his free hand and squeezed her breast so hard, she yelped in pain. “Did she cry for ye like this?” He slid his hand lower and curled his hand into the V where her thighs joined, yanking her back and grinding her against him.
Neala whimpered and squeezed her eyes tight.
                                                * * *
Follow along at Laurel O'Donnell's blog next week for excerpt #4 from Lucan, by Bambi Lynn.

BLURB:
Neala Comyn, wife of a powerful laird, wants to end the pain and suffering of an abusive marriage. She is a woman without hope, believing God has forsaken her. When she is kidnapped by a rival laird who claims to be a god himself, her faith is further shaken. Could Lucan Munro be the salvation she has prayed for? Or will her sins condemn her to eternal damnation?
 
Lucan Munro, has the power of a Celtic god. He can conjure his heart’s desire from thin air. But can he save the woman he loves from a demon hell-bent on claiming her soul?
 
 
BUY LINKS:  Click Here
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