Lane McFarland and her newest release, Elsbeth!
I’m so honored to have Lane McFarland here today! Click here for some music while you check out her newest release, Elsbeth. And if you want to purchase Elsbeth, just click the cover below to take you to retail store.
Isn’t that cover eye-catching? I love it!
Now, here’s Lane with a bit more about her and the book…
Thank you so much for having me today, Red!
I’m a historical romance book junkie. I love to throw my imagination into years gone by, research dark periods of strife and violence, justice and quests for freedom, and dream of what it might have been like to have lived and survived during these hostile periods.
My DAUGHTERS OF ALASTAIR MACDOUGALL series begins in May 1297, a time of unrest between Scotland and England. It has been such fun to research this period and imagine living amongst the clans.
ELSBETH is the fourth and youngest of the daughters, the last book in my series.
Here’s the blurb…
Elsbeth recoils at the violent Scottish rebellion and the bleak plight of orphans. After losing her betrothed in the conflict, she sets her course to become a nun, sheltering innocent victims from the cruelties of war. But when Brandon arrives at the abbey, he shakes her convictions and stirs provoking emotions she buried long ago.
She has a hard time reconciling her desire for peace and Brandon’s desire for revenge. Her former betrothed’s pacifism was diametrically opposed to Brandon’s violent traits.
However, Brandon possesses admirable characteristics Elsbeth cannot overlook. It would be hard not to take note of his handsome, rugged demeanor. His men admire his strength and leadership, and he is a ruthless warrior whose mere presence commands respect. But he is also honest, caring, and patient. He places others’ safety and concerns before his own.
After English soldiers murder his family, Brandon seeks revenge and leads numerous clans in Scotland’s fight for freedom. Bent on the annihilation of English oppression, he is resolved to a life of solitude, vowing never to marry and chance the pain of losing loved ones again. Elsbeth realizes not only children are affected by war, but stalwart warriors are also hurt and abandoned. She longs to heal Brandon’s spirit, help him live again, and prays she can reach him before the damage already done has set in stone.
And an excerpt…
Brandon McLeod and his men arrived at the abbey after the English soldiers had attacked. In this scene, Brandon comforts Elsbeth.
Brandon’s body stood alert, every fiber of his being awake with desire for the woman in his arms. It took great restraint to keep his hands from roaming her curves, his lips from tasting her sweetness.
Once she quieted, and her spent body relaxed, Brandon straightened.
She stepped back, brushing the back of her hand over her eyes, then reached down for the sack of clothes. “I beg yer pardon. ‘Tis not like me to fall to pieces.”
The sister wouldn’t meet his eyes. She busied herself, shoving several articles of clothing into the bag.
Brandon tugged a grey woolen blanket from one of the beds and draped it around her shoulders. “Ye’ve had a trying time. Little sleep with not much to eat can wear ye down.”
Her tear-filled eyes gazed at him, and his gut clenched. Why did she affect him so? He’d seen his fill of tears, but hers struck him to the core.
Satan’s teeth.
He had only intended to console her, give her a moment of respite away from her responsibility. But when her arms slid around his waist, and she nuzzled his chest, she was the one who provided comfort. The unfamiliar feeling irritated him. He could not afford to care, give his enemies an edge. No, he’d see the hard outer shell she cracked mended stronger than before.
“If ye’re finished, I’ll see ye back to the solar,” he said. “Ye need rest before we travel tomorrow.”
“I would like to discuss that with ye.” She clutched the sack against her middle. “I understand it isn’t wise to travel into Perth, so I would ask ye to see us to the nearest village southwest of here. I can send word to my da, and he will come for us.”
Brandon shook his head. “I cannae take ye southwest. I have important business to attend, and ye’ll have to accompany me. We’ll skirt Perth and travel south then northeast to Dunning and on to the Firth of Tay. When we reach Tayport, I’ll send word to yer da. Until he arrives, ye and the children will reside under my protection at Stonecrest.”
Her brow scrunched, and she crossed her arms. “And where is Stonecrest?”
“Off the North Sea, south of Aberdeen.”
“But that will take many days, riding in the opposite direction.”
“Aye.” Many days immersed in agonizing temptation. “We leave at first light.”
~~~
Where can readers find you?
I love to hear from readers! Here is my email address: mcfarland.lane@gmail.com
Website: http://lanemcfarland.com
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/LaneMcFarlandAuthor
Twitter: @LaneMcFarland
Where can readers find your books? Here is my author page. You’ll find my books listed here.
http://www.amazon.com/Lane-McFarland/e/B00G7UQZNI/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Thank you for having me!
It’s been a pleasure having you! All music composed by Adrian von Ziegler.
