Hi Jennifer! Thanks for
having me on your wonderful blog today! I’m excited to share my new release, A Highland Moon Enchantment.
When the O’Quinlan
brothers entered the story in Dragon
Knight’s Axe, Order of the Dragon
Knights, Book 3, I knew each would demand their own story. Desmond
O’Quinlan kept tapping my shoulder (and yelling in my ear), requesting a
rematch with Dragon Knight, Alastair MacKay. You see, dear readers, it seems he
still has unfinished business with Alastair for leaving his sister, Fiona. In
truth, I sensed a deeper meaning behind his foul mood and growing anger at the
Dragon Knight.
I thoroughly enjoyed
returning home to Urquhart, the Dragon Knights, and finding a wife for Desmond.
In researching a name for the heroine, Ailsa MacDuff, the path was a
serendipitous find one afternoon. I saw a clear picture of her features within
my mind, so I went through several names to fit her character. When I saw the
Gaelic name of Ailsa, which means “fairy rock,” I knew I had the perfect one
for this lass. Yet it wasn’t until I saw the mention of “Ailsa Craig,” that my
story was set in motion.
The island of Ailsa
Craig does indeed exist. The island is approximately two hundred forty acres,
which contains blue hone granite that was quarried to make hurling stones. It’s
located about ten miles off the southwestern coast of Scotland. Currently, the
island is owned by the RSPB Nature Reserve and is home for Europe’s biggest
gannet colony and a significant number of puffins. I’ve seen pictures of this
island, and it’s stunning. It was the perfect setting to place a fictional
group of characters.
MEDIA KIT – A HIGHLAND MOON ENCHANTMENT by Mary Morgan
**
Release date: November 17, 2017
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical, Medieval, Scottish, Paranormal,
Romance, Holiday
Length: Novella
**A tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights
Blurb:
Irish warrior, Desmond O’Quinlan has never surrendered
his heart to any woman. He has no wish to have his soul tortured by love. Yet, the
moment he locks gazes with Ailsa, his fate is destined for an adventure he
never fathomed. He may have battled alongside a Dragon Knight, but his greatest
challenge will come from within his own heart.
Ailsa MacDuff, a warrior among her clan, has no desire
to have a man chain her to a life of obedience. However, that is before she
meets Desmond. The temptation to allow this warrior inside her heart is a risk
she dares to take, but one that could lead to a future of emptiness and
sorrow.
When betrayal looms from within, the battleground of
love is no match for these two warriors. Can the power of a Highland full moon
be strong enough to unite or destroy them?
Excerpt :
His mind screamed to
stay rooted in his chair, but his body betrayed him. Standing, he reached for
her hand.“I will escort ye to your chamber.”
She eyed him with
curiosity and stood. “Nae. Take me to the north wall. I hear the view of the
loch is one that steals the breath from your lungs.”
“Done.” When her fingers
slipped into his, Desmond fought the urge to crush her to his chest.
Placing her soft hand in
the crook of his arm, he led her quickly out of the hall and up the stairs.
Bending to the left, he took her along a corridor and up a narrow circular
pathway. The torches flickered as he approached the door leading to the north
wall.
A cold draft blew by
them, and she shivered. Instantly, regret filled him realizing he had not considered
to bring a cloak for her.
Desmond paused by the
door. “Ye should not venture out into the biting cold without a cloak.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I
simply wish to capture a quick look, not spend the night sleeping out there.”
Shaking his head, he
pushed open the massive oak door. Brittle air slapped at his face while they
made their way up along the wall.
“’Tis cold,” she muttered, but chuckled softly and hugged his
arm. “But ye are
warm.”
“We shall not tarry long,” he
assured her and placed a warm hand over hers.
“Oh, sweet Goddess. Look at the
moon, Desmond. Her light shimmers over the water. I have now witnessed the
charm of the loch in sunlight and moonlight. Though our rivers are
stunning on their own, they cannae rival this view. As I have told ye, our
island is shrouded in mists, so ye cannae see verra far out into the sea.”
Desmond’s focus was not on the moon,
but the beauty standing beside him. To take what he dared not possess. He
marveled at her delight of the striking scene.
Ailsa turned toward him. “Thank ye,
Desmond, truly.”
Her nearness was overpowering,
seducing him in a way he had never known. Desmond cupped her chin. Her eyes
widened, and her lips parted in invitation. Moonlight and lust danced within
her eyes. No longer did he battle with his mind and body, and he slowly lowered
his head.
And under the silent whisper of a
full moon, Desmond captured her soft lips within his own. He
could taste her sweetness mixed with
the wine, and desire shot through his veins. His hands shook as he placed them
securely on her waist. As he deepened the kiss, she placed her hands around his
neck. Desmond groaned, crushing her body against him.
Buy Links:
Tags: Historical, Romance, Scotland,
Medieval, Paranormal, Holiday
Author Bio:
Award-winning
Scottish paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern
California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels
to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these
countries and vows to return.
Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling--writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
If
you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel
within the pages of her books.
Social Media Links:
ORDER OF THE DRAGON KNIGHTS
Dare
to journey with the Dragon Knights of Scotland!
They
were an ancient order descended from the great Tuatha De Danann, a tribe from
the Goddess Danu. Half human and half fae, each blessed with mystical powers.
They were also given holy relics and guardianship over the dragons.
With
the dawn of Christianity, the dragons were systematically hunted down and slain
leaving only one. The Dragon Knights took her from Ireland to a land across the
sea, settling in the Great Glen near Urquhart. The clan was known as the MacKay
clan, descendants from the MacAoidh.
Yet,
there were those who deemed the Order had too much power, and they tried to
possess it for themselves. They were evil and twisted, and their plan succeeded
one fateful night. A battle was fought and their sister was killed.
The
Clan Mackay is no longer.
The
Dragon Knights scattered across the land.
Yet
out of the darkness, they will each fight for redemption.
Welcome to my blog, Mary. Happy to have you here and good luck with your latest release!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting my new release on your lovely blog, Jennifer!
DeleteGood Morn Mary and Jennifer! I can't wait to read Mary's latest. I'd plan to settle in over Thanksgiving but family situation derailed my plans. So A Highland Moon Enchantment waits patiently on my ipad. Best of luck Mary with your new release and the Dragon Knights in general! Still need to read the first two books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Tena, and supporting a fellow Rose. I agree, this book looks fantastic. I can't wait to read the entire series.
DeleteBlowing kisses your way, Tena! Thank you so much! And congrats on your new release, too! Can hardly wait to "sink" my teeth into the story. ;)
DeleteLove Mary's Clan Mackay! And who can resist a story with a dragon?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cover. Beautiful new release.
Many thanks for your kind words, Sandra! xo
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Sandra. I agree, the cover is gorgeous!
DeleteLooks like another great read, Mary. Good luck with your new release.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, C.B.! xo
DeleteThanks for visiting, CB!
DeleteHi Mary and Jennifer. Don't you love it when research meets creative spirit head on? Like a good plan when it comes together! Mary, your new release sounds wonderful, wishing you lots of festive season sales. Best, Anni xx
ReplyDeleteHi Anni, thanks so much for stopping by today!
DeleteI'm amazed at the paths my research has led me on, Anni! Some of them I've labeled, "serendipitous" finds. Thanks for stopping by. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! Congrats on your release! I've already read it and LOVE it! Am looking forward to the next one. :) Best wishes for many sales!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karilyn, for stopping by and supporting Mary!
DeleteGiving you a virtual hug, Karilyn! Thank you so much! So happy you enjoyed Desmond and Ailsa's story. I loved returning home to the Dragon Knights. xo
Delete