Cathy MacRae's Blog, page 46
May 3, 2014
May 03rd, 2014
Today is about firsts. There have been several writing firsts for me in the past couple of years. First book, first book release party, first signing, and now, my first web site! It has survived it's first bumps and hiccups, though there will be others along the way as it grows with me and my writing career.Please feel free to comment, give advice, offer suggestions, question why the heck I did such-and-such, and generally brag on my efforts. :-)
Seriously, just poke around the site a bit and enjoy the show!
March 15, 2014
Meet the Characters Finlay Scott and lairds MacEwen and Macraig
Meet the Characters of The Highlander's Reluctant Bride:
Let's double up, today. Captain Finlay Scott and potential evil villains, lairds MacEwen and Macraig.
Finlay Scott is another character who originally appeared in The Highlander’s Accidental Bride. He was the soldier who loyally supported his laird when Laird Scott’s character and very life seemed to be hanging in the balance.
Recognizing the man’s skills and dependability, Laird Scott sends Finlay with Ranald on his journey to Scaurness Castle. A man large enough few men dare gainsay him and canny enough to maintain discipline even in the face of danger, Finlay is just who Ranald needs as the captain of his men.
A mix of strength and compassion, brashness and humor, Finlay is as likely to break heads as mend them, and even knows how to tell a troubled child a soothing bedtime story.
____________
Morgan MacEwen and Latharn Macraig are the lairds of two neighboring clans. Each had earlier offered for Lady Caitriona’s hand. Once the old laird is dead, one will try trickery, the other treason to get what they each consider rightfully theirs.
Let's double up, today. Captain Finlay Scott and potential evil villains, lairds MacEwen and Macraig.
Finlay Scott is another character who originally appeared in The Highlander’s Accidental Bride. He was the soldier who loyally supported his laird when Laird Scott’s character and very life seemed to be hanging in the balance.
Recognizing the man’s skills and dependability, Laird Scott sends Finlay with Ranald on his journey to Scaurness Castle. A man large enough few men dare gainsay him and canny enough to maintain discipline even in the face of danger, Finlay is just who Ranald needs as the captain of his men.
A mix of strength and compassion, brashness and humor, Finlay is as likely to break heads as mend them, and even knows how to tell a troubled child a soothing bedtime story.
____________
Morgan MacEwen and Latharn Macraig are the lairds of two neighboring clans. Each had earlier offered for Lady Caitriona’s hand. Once the old laird is dead, one will try trickery, the other treason to get what they each consider rightfully theirs.
March 13, 2014
Meet the Characters: Ranald Scott
Meet the Characters of The Highlander's Reluctant Bride:
The Hero: Ranald Scott
Ranald Scott returns as the hero in The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride. In the first book of the series, The Highlander’s Accidental Bride, he appears as the laird’s younger brother who participates in the kidnapping of the laird’s bride. Throughout that story, Ranald is strong but kind, easy-going and sympathetic with his brother’s new wife, and satisfied to not have the responsibilities of lairdship.
In The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride, Ranald acts on an order from King Robert II to hold Scaurness Castle for the dying Laird Macrory. Situated above the Firth of Clyde, Scaurness is a strategic outpost coveted by pirates and the Lord of the Isles. King Robert cannot afford for it to fall into the wrong hands should the laird die without an heir.
Given the title of lord and much responsibility, Ranald, now Lord Scott, accepts the king’s charge. Loyal, he will hold the castle against the enemies of the king. Innately kind, he will enforce change only when necessary. And that includes marriage to a woman whose memories of him as a lad are less than endearing.
His thoughts, as he enters the gates of Scaurness Castle, are on the red-haired lass he remembers as a wild, stubborn child--not characteristics he wants in a wife. But the woman he now faces is beautiful beyond his expectations. And, from the scowl on her face, just as stubborn.
The Hero: Ranald Scott
Ranald Scott returns as the hero in The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride. In the first book of the series, The Highlander’s Accidental Bride, he appears as the laird’s younger brother who participates in the kidnapping of the laird’s bride. Throughout that story, Ranald is strong but kind, easy-going and sympathetic with his brother’s new wife, and satisfied to not have the responsibilities of lairdship.
In The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride, Ranald acts on an order from King Robert II to hold Scaurness Castle for the dying Laird Macrory. Situated above the Firth of Clyde, Scaurness is a strategic outpost coveted by pirates and the Lord of the Isles. King Robert cannot afford for it to fall into the wrong hands should the laird die without an heir.
Given the title of lord and much responsibility, Ranald, now Lord Scott, accepts the king’s charge. Loyal, he will hold the castle against the enemies of the king. Innately kind, he will enforce change only when necessary. And that includes marriage to a woman whose memories of him as a lad are less than endearing.
His thoughts, as he enters the gates of Scaurness Castle, are on the red-haired lass he remembers as a wild, stubborn child--not characteristics he wants in a wife. But the woman he now faces is beautiful beyond his expectations. And, from the scowl on her face, just as stubborn.
March 12, 2014
Characters of The Highlander's Reluctant Bride; Senga and Pol
Do you like books with animals in them? In The Highlander's Reluctant Bride, Laird Macrory brings two Scottish Deerhounds with him. Their names are Senga (likely derived from the Gaelic word, seang, "slender") and Pol (a Gaelic form of Paul, it also means "little" which would be an interesting name for a deerhound!).
Considered by some to be descended from the hounds of the Picts, descriptions of a Greyhound-like dog used for hunting game can be found even as far back as the 3rd century. By the 15th century, names such as “Irish Wolf Dog”, “Scotch Greyhound”, “Rough Greyhound”, and “Highland Deerhound” identified the purpose of the dog.
In the Highlands of Scotland, the term ‘deerhound’ has been applied to this breed best suited for pursuing and killing the large Scottish deer that often weigh 250 lbs and wield large, dangerous racks of antlers.
The deerhound has a keen nose for tracking, and is prized for his strength, speed and courage. He is built for hard work in the Highlands, chasing up and down steep mountains, through rough, rocky terrain and often in weather that is cold and dreary.
In the home, he exhibits gentle dignity. Highland Chieftains assumed exclusive ownership of the breed, and for many years no one of lesser status than an earl could possess one of these dogs.
Considered by some to be descended from the hounds of the Picts, descriptions of a Greyhound-like dog used for hunting game can be found even as far back as the 3rd century. By the 15th century, names such as “Irish Wolf Dog”, “Scotch Greyhound”, “Rough Greyhound”, and “Highland Deerhound” identified the purpose of the dog.
In the Highlands of Scotland, the term ‘deerhound’ has been applied to this breed best suited for pursuing and killing the large Scottish deer that often weigh 250 lbs and wield large, dangerous racks of antlers.
The deerhound has a keen nose for tracking, and is prized for his strength, speed and courage. He is built for hard work in the Highlands, chasing up and down steep mountains, through rough, rocky terrain and often in weather that is cold and dreary.
In the home, he exhibits gentle dignity. Highland Chieftains assumed exclusive ownership of the breed, and for many years no one of lesser status than an earl could possess one of these dogs.
March 5, 2014
Interview with the laird
Stop by blueroseromance.com for my interview with Laird Macrory. Blogging today with Collette Cameron. There is a book excerpt, too!
March 4, 2014
New book release coming soon!
Mark your calendars. March 17 is not just St. Patrick's Day, it's the released day for The Highlander's Reluctant Bride!
You'll find Ranald Scott, Laird Scott's younger brother from The Highlander's Accidental Bride, sent by the king to secure clan land against marauding pirates and the Lord of the Isles. Should the old laird die before his heir can be found, Ranald must take possession of the castle and Laird Macrory's headstrong daughter.
You'll find Ranald Scott, Laird Scott's younger brother from The Highlander's Accidental Bride, sent by the king to secure clan land against marauding pirates and the Lord of the Isles. Should the old laird die before his heir can be found, Ranald must take possession of the castle and Laird Macrory's headstrong daughter.
