Happy Hogmanay!

Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the old year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner. 

They normally follow the night by further celebrating the morning of New Year's Day (1 January) or in some cases, 2 January—a Scottish bank holiday. 

The origins of Hogmanay are unclear, but it may be derived from Norse and Gaelic observances of the winter solstice. Whatever...I am thrilled that the days are getting longer!

Many are happy to see 2021 end. With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to spread its viciousness across the world, the holiday celebration is restrained. New York City, for instance, has a population on the island of Manhattan of nearly 2 million. However, only fifteen thousand guests are allowed to stand in Times Square to view the ball drop, which heralds in 2022.

Watching the ball drop from the comfort of home is our tradition. Comfort food, a roaring fire, a purring cat, old movies, family (all vaccinated), reading one of my BOOKS, and sleeping late the next day is comforting as well as healthy. (COMFORT being the important aspect of the holiday)

However you choose to celebrate the New Year, keep safe!

Nancy Lee Badger

Happy Holidays to All from Author Nancy Lee Badger

 

Another year, another Christmas, and many good wishes to my family, friends, and readers. I celebrated the release of my 40th Romance novel and I am working on number 41. 

Please check out all my book buy links HERE and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and my Amazon Author Page.

Let's hope for a better and even healthier New Year and remember... however you enjoy the holidays, remember to keep safe and think of others by wearing your mask. It protected hubby and me.

AMAZON        QUAIL RIDGE BOOKS

BOOK DEPOSITORY

AMAZON       QUAIL RIDGE BOOKS

BOOK DEPOSITORY

AMAZON       QUAIL RIDGE BOOKS

BOOK DEPOSITORY

Happy Holidays!

Nancy Lee Badger

It is Almost Christmas!

The week before Christmas is filled with special treats. No, I am not talking only about sugar cookies, gingerbread boys, or pies. It is also about Christmas lights, brightly lit trees in living rooms, and gayly wrapped gifts beneath those trees.

I would be remiss if I did not remind you that books make great gifts for young and old readers. With little time to receive on-line orders, check out a book store near you and do not forget the smaller independent stores. They have shelves and tables full of books.

Quail Ridge Books off Six Forks Road in Raleigh, North Carolina carries a couple of my titles such as Heaven-Sent Warrior and Heaven-Sent Highlander. Your recipient can download books, so a Gift Card from any book distributor also makes a lovely gift.

 

Find all Buy Links

HERE

Find all Buy Links

 HERE

Have a healthy, Happy holiday!

Nancy Lee Badger

Fighting Fires in Books by Author Nancy Lee Badger

I recently enjoyed lunch at a little place called Barry's Cafe in Cary, North Carolina. They offer a discount to former and current firefighters. In fact, the walls are covered with badges, helmets, and an axe or two. 

Years ago, I became an EMT (emergency medical technician) for the local volunteer fire department in Rumney, New Hampshire. Later, my hubby and I joined the actual fire department. We got boots, bunker gear, helmets, and everything!

Even later, I became an emergency medical dispatcher, also known as a 911 operator, for the State of New Hampshire. To say we support rescue and safety personnel is a given. Ideas for some of my books came from my past experiences. Here are a few:

A steamy love story between 

two New Hampshire firefighters

AMAZON

Amazon Print

Quail Ridge

 A sweet tale set in Vermont

AMAZON

Amazon Print

Quail Ridge

A steamy love story

set on a North Carolina

Army base

AMAZON

Stay safe and read books!

Nancy Lee Badger

December Books by Nancy Lee Badger

Another week, another new month, and the holiday lights are up outside our house. All that's left is to decorate the tree. It's only four feet tall and artificial. We used to cut our own tree when we lived in rural New Hampshire, but once my mother-in-law passed, we decided to use her little tree. We moved to North Carolina and into a small ranch house. The tree looks fine.

Last year, the tree went up but I never got the time to decorate it. Seems a relative was ill, then tested positive for Covid-19, which put our house into quarantine. That lasted until we got tested on December 31st (both negative) so the Christmas holiday and even New Year's were quiet celebrations.

However you enjoy the holidays, remember to keep safe and think of others by wearing your mask. It protected hubby and me.

And if you are looking for books 

to put under the tree...

AMAZON        QUAIL RIDGE BOOKS

BOOK DEPOSITORY

AMAZON       QUAIL RIDGE BOOKS

BOOK DEPOSITORY

AMAZON       QUAIL RIDGE BOOKS

BOOK DEPOSITORY

Happy Holidays!

Nancy Lee Badger

America Celebrates Thanksgiving

As an American writer, I will be enjoying Thursday November 25th celebrating an American tradition. A day filled with foods such as roast turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, and pies, has its origin based on the puritans and the indigenous people they met back in the early 17th century.

The first Plimouth British Colony, which became Plymouth, Massachusetts, is steeped in history. 

We recently have learned that my husband can trace his roots to several of the first passengers on the Mayflower, including original signers of the Mayflower Compact.

We recently traveled from North Carolina to Massachusetts to pay our respects at several graves at Burial Hill in Plymouth, we are taking this holiday a little more serious.

Last year, our family members were masked, separated into small groups, and served individually due to the rampant Covid pandemic. This year will look different. Six people (all vaccinated) will be able to sit and talk and eat at one table.

However you intend to celebrate the first Thanksgiving, when our country was only a British colony, stay safe and enjoy the week.

Nancy Lee Badger

Another Birthday and Another Book by Nancy Lee Badger

I am celebrating my birthday month (yes, at my age I take a whole month because Scorpios do whatever they want!) During the month, I will travel, eat good food, and write a new book. This book will be the third full-length novel in my Treasure Tales series.

This month, though, I released the latest book in print. The Duke's Diamond follows The Earl's Treasure and Love, Hamish and I enjoy writing about dukes, earls, rogues, and Scottish lasses as they search castles, caves and pirate ships for treasure.

Sound interesting? Check out all ebook and print book choices HERE

Stay safe and READ!

Nancy Lee Badger

Kiss a Veteran

America celebrates our Veterans every year on November 11 so fly your flags and thank a veteran. I wish I could thank my dad for stepping up during World War 2 and joining the Navy, but I lost him in 2019. I have an uncle, a cousin, and my youngest son who are still with us and spent many years in uniform.

We appreciate their service and think of them and what they sacrificed in order to keep us safe, here at home. Many writers feel military members can make great characters in books, so check out your local library (if opened again), or where ever great books are sold.

Nancy Lee Badger

Proud mother of an Army Veteran.     
 

Nancy Lee Badger Looks Back at the NH Highland Games 2021

I took lots of photos while volunteering under the Information Tent Sept. 17-19 and will share a few here.  From marching bands to Highland cows, to men in kilts...what fun!

We had beautiful New Hampshire fall weather and everyone seemed happy that the games were not cancelled for a second year.

Hubby showed off his Gunn Clan kilt and our son modeled his army camo kilt. These were just two of the hundreds of tartans seen over the three day event. Next year should be bigger and better!

Stay safe!

Nancy Lee Badger

Bats, and Ghosts? Try Dragons in a book by Nancy Lee Badger

It is no surprise that the sun is taking its time rising as the days get shorter. The better to scare my readers! This is the perfect time to tell you about some scary stories taking place in Scotland (and America).

Dragon Bites is a compilation of three of my popular dragon-shifter novellas and is available in ebook or print.

Check out these reviews:

- Dragon’s Curse: “Wow! This was a historical with a delicious paranormal twist… wild animals, a shipwreck, a witch, and ghosts. I loved it!” —Mickey Also “I enjoy the dragon tales and the time arena. Very interested in medieval Scottish background stories and I would recommend this good read.”--Joan E. L.

- Southern Fried Dragon: “Nancy Lee Badger is a keen storyteller who draws you in and keeps you reading until you get to the happily-ever-after.” —Jan Romes Also “The story will have you turning the pages to see what will happen next.”--Barbara H.

- Dragon In The Mist: “…a fun quick enjoyable read. The male character was my favorite, he had a great personality. The setting was also great.”--FloFlo Also, Dragon in the Mist was a 2012 Reader’s Choice Award Winner/1st Place in its category in the Silken Sands Self-Published STARS Contest. —Gulf Coast RWA

Check out all the buy links HERE

HAPPY SAMHAIN! 

Highland Games and a Highland Bull

The New Hampshire Highland Games, presented by NHScot.org, resumed last month and I am glad my husband, son, and I could attend. Taking a year off from driving from Raleigh, NC to Lincoln, NH gave us a breather, but being back was awesome.

We are all long-time volunteers and enjoyed seeing familiar faces as well as 'newbies'...visitors and volunteers that have never attended these games.

The games were smaller with a ton less people because of the state's Covid-19 rules, but the weather was mostly lovely and I had fun.

As I am always on the lookout to promote my profession as a writer of romance novels, I brought print copies of Love, Hamish. Imagine my surprise when my main character (a Highland bull) jumped right of the page!

Never before have Highland cows been a part of these games and I hope they continue in the future. 

Caption: Maggie and June from the Miles Smith Farm

located in Loudon, New Hampshire

Make a note of the date for the 2022 NH Highland Games:

SEPTEMBER 16, 17, and 18

The Earl's Treasure is a Treasure Tale by Nancy Lee Badger

Look what is available in PRINT!

It has been many months since I released The Earl's Treasure as an ebook on Amazon. Soon, it will be available from many sources but the biggest news is that is is

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT!

If you enjoy the feel of a paper book in your hands, check out this buy links (with more to come)

Amazon

and consider the other books 

in the Treasure Tale series

WINNERS of my Autographed Book Giveaway!

 

If you receive my infrequent newsletters, you already heard more details about why I give away books. I love all things Scottish, which is why my latest books Love, Hamish, The Earl's Treasure, and The Duke's Diamond take place in Scotland. 

An author wants to share her work with new readers, so I gave away three autographed print copies of my sweet novella Love, Hamish. 

To see the winners' names, Click HERE )

Enjoy the cooler days of October and watch for spooky nights. My yard has one decoration and a reason I also write other books filled with witches. 

Have a safe and spooky October!

Nancy Lee Badger

Where did the Summer go?

I will miss summer even though a majority of August showed temperatures in the 90s. I never made it to the beach, either. Weekly dips in the indoor pool at the gym were okay, but I miss not living closer to the ocean. 

Saying that, I must remember that a few hurricanes missed us here in Raleigh, North Carolina by inches. I am sorry for the folks that suffered the ravages of storms, floods, and fires and I am thankful every day that my family and relatives are fine. 

Get ready for winter by stocking up on books. My latest book, now available in print, is LOVE, HAMISH. 

Find all Buy Links HERE

Stay safe!

Nancy Lee Badger

The Return of Scottish Highland Games

The pandemic has canceled so many events, but a few festivals in America are making abbreviated comebacks. Event listings can change on a dime, so it is best to do your own research before planning to attend.

Here are a few that ARE scheduled:

New Hampshire Highland Games will be held on Sept. 17-19 (canceled last year) My sources claim that tickets are sold out and NO tickets will be available at the gate. Make a note to attend in 2022 when, hopefully, the pandemic will bring everything back to normal.

Swamp Fox Highland Games will be held in Florence, SC September 25, 2021

Prescott Arizona Celtic Festival  will be September 25-26 2021

Celticfest Mississippi on the Rez  will be October 23-24 2021

Celtic Classic Highland Games in Bethlehem, PB will be October 24-26

Charleston SC Highland Games will be held November 6 2021

This is a very short list for something so popular in America, but the pandemic is the biggest reason against bringing thousands of people together. So, if you can attend such an event, wear a mask and keep hugs to yourself.

Stay safe!

Nancy Lee Badger

 

 

Look what just arrived!

I finally found a minute during a very busy summer to format and upload my sweet historical novel, LOVE, HAMISH so I could have print copies made available to my readers. This novella is set in Scotland and the ebook sells well, but some people (myself included) enjoy the feel of a paperback book. 

Book Blurb for LOVE, HAMISH

What happens when Daisy, a young Scottish seamstress, meets a Highlander visiting Gretna Green? Action, turmoil, murderous intentions, and love. The love for the bull, Hamish, surprises her and intrigues Torin, his owner and protector. In this sweet novella, protecting Torin and Hamish keeps Daisy on her toes while a less than gentlemanly lord gives them all trouble. Leave it to the huge yet gentle Hamish to bring Daisy and Torin together. Forever.

Consider ordering the print version. My copies are headed to family and friends but if you want an autographed copy, send me an email at nancy@nancyleebadger.com with your mailing address and I will quote you a reasonable price.

Stay safe!

Nancy Lee Badger

Lovin' Summer and a Book

 

I am headed to the gym to exercise (with mask) then take a dip in their indoor pool (without a mask). I use a noodle to continue my exercises instead of swimming laps (I like to keep my glasses on). 

I grew up near the water on the north side of Long Island and the summer was also filled with a carload of kids heading to Fire Island. Love me some waves!

Our move to North Carolina has placed us a good 4 hours from the ocean, so the salt water pool is a fine substitute.

Labor Day here in the US is the official end of summer and it falls on September 6th. Besides READING BOOKS ALL SUMMER, what are you doing to keep your self active and healthy?

psst. my novella LOVE, HAMISH is now available IN PRINT. it is a sweet historical romance and can fill those summer evenings. 

Stay safe!

Nancy Lee Badger

My Visit with the Australian Romance Readers Association

I enjoy the Australian Romance Readers Association which operates 'down under' which is half a world away from where I live and write in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are nice enough to host me whenever I have a new book release. My latest book is The Duke's Diamond and I wrote a piece for them that I will share here:

Once upon a time, while I was reading an article about famous gems, I discovered a treasure associated with The Hope Diamond. The mentioned stone, a blue diamond that flashed red under certain conditions, was originally mined in India and called The Tavernier Blue. It made its way into the possession of King Louis XIV, but disappeared around 1791. Stolen, the rumors say. Le bleu de France or The French Blue as I call it in my Treasure Tales series, is famous, or should I say infamous. Supposedly, it had been cut into three chunks.

 

Some say The Hope Diamond is one of those chunks. Since the originally mentioned blue gem disappeared in 1791 and my stories take place in 1816-1817, I took the liberty of hiding all three stones. In The Earl’s Treasure, released last December, the first stone is found hidden by a dead man in a barn. In The Duke’s Diamond, the second stone is hidden… well, you will have to read the book to find out!

 

Placing an earl and now a duke in peril during a treasure hunt came to me quickly, but the books themselves took time to write. A pandemic did not slow me down, but caring for my health and those of my family were tough. With luck, readers will check out the novella Love, Hamish whose characters are mentioned in both of my full-length novels especially a big, red, hairy Highland bull. The Duke’s Diamond is my 40^th published book and I hope its plot, characters, and locations in England and Scotland keep readers amused and entertained.

TO READ THIS BOOK'S BLURB AND TO Learn about other fabulous authors from Australia and beyond, visit the ARRA WEBSITE and BLOG

p.s. Remember...you can find all my Buy Links under the BOOKS tab above.

Stay safe and read a book!

Nancy Lee Badger

Stormy Weather and a Book

Wow! Tropical storms and Hurricanes are coming again? Not sure where FRED is going except toward the state to our west, and it looks like GRACE (my grandmother's name!) is headed for the Florida keys on its way to Texas. Please take care and consider reading a book while stuck indoors.

Suggestions...

Find all Buy Links HERE

Stay safe and dry!

Nancy Lee Badger

Patriotic Parfaits by Nancy Lee Badger

I have been terribly busy this month: three days of Jury Duty, several doctor appointments, one surgery, exercising and swimming... but I made these parfaits for our recent get-together of the family. I cheated a bit (busy, right?) and used a yellow cake mix that my sister found. 

It is SUGAR FREE and smells and tastes exactly like a cake should. This made the creation easy, so I thought someone out there might enjoy making it, too.

Nancy's Red-White-&=Blue Parfaits

Pillsbury SUGAR FREE Yellow Cake mix (or Regular cake mix)

*cook as directed using 1 cup water, 1/3 cup oil, and 3 eggs)

Strawberries, hulled and sliced

Blueberries

Sugar Free Cool Whip or Whipped Cream

Clear Glasses

Bake cake as directed. Cool, then cut into small hunks. Place some in bottom of a glass. Top with some berries. Add some whipped cream. Add more cake, berries, and cream. Place two blueberries and a slice of strawberry on top for color. Yum!

I assembled them after our dinner, and served them to my family right away. Fresh and cool and sugar-free. My Christmas in July theme this month is to help celebrate the release of my new book.

You can find all buy links for 

this book and others HERE

Happy summer!

Nancy Lee Badger