Like Historical Romance set in Scotland? Another Chapter Teaser

 

PG Excerpt: The Rogue’s Ring  

Where is it? Cat murmured, cursing under her breath as she sought the rest of the stranger’s gold coins. The sleeping draft would not last long. Long enough, she prayed, so she could make her way back home before he woke.

When she couldn’t reach into the bulky overcoat and satchel he slept upon, she dug her fingers into his jacket’s inside pocket.

Success!

Removing her fingers, three more gold coins appeared. As she slipped them down her bodice, two silver eyes glared up at her.

“What are you doing?” The stranger sat up, grabbed both of her wrists, and pulled her into his lap.

“Why, nothing. Ye fell asleep and I dinna’ wish to wake ye. I worried that ye had stopped breathing, ’tis all. ’Twould never do to have a guest of the inn come to any harm. Are ye well?”

He blinked, then lowered his gaze to the tops of her breasts. She could feel the heat stirring from his attention. Was her flesh growing pink with guilt?

Had he seen her hide the coins? Did he realize how much time had passed since she had offered him drugged wine? He ought to be fast asleep, but he blinked again, then growled.

“Please. I must be on my way home.” If she did not leave now, Devlin might slap her once again, or throw her to his men. His threats had grown worse and more depraved. Her plans to escape his influence required money. The three coins she’d stolen from the Englishman would help her achieve her goal.

He stared back at her face, then released one hand and turned her head sideways. “Did someone hit you?”

His warm fingers gently stroked her scar and the newer bruise she had to assume had turned purple. “Aye. ’Tis a consequence of working in such a place. Many travelers curse the weather yet take out their frustrations on whomever strays close. I shall survive.”

“Like the brute who grabbed you by the hair tonight? You seemed to know him, but a stranger would do worse? You need a protector.”

When she attempted a small smile, he released his hold on her chin. In an instant, his free hand strayed down her bodice and gripped the coins.

“Nay!” she cried, to no avail.

“A thief? Strange, since I believe I compensated you more than enough inside.” He pushed her away.

Stumbling backward, she hit the wall, then returned to his side with her fists defiantly on her hips. She could only glare down at him. She was not leaving without those coins. Her future depended on acquiring the means to live elsewhere and free from her brother’s abuse. Those coins could get her and Blake hundreds of miles from him and his pirate crew.

He staggered to his feet. Surprise filled his handsome face at his loss of equilibrium. He tunneled his fingers through his dark hair. Several strands of silver glimmered at his temples, nearly matching the glaring silver of his eyes. Surprised to face eyes the same color as her son’s, she gasped. 

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Highland Games have Given me another Book Idea!

The 29th Annual Loch Norman Highland Games were held last weekend in Huntersville, North Carolina. We arrived on a sunny day to bagpipes playing and meat pies cooking. We enjoyed watched as our old American flags burned in a solemn ceremony, then really enjoyed the women hurling heavy metal objects. The caber tossing came later.

Marching bands and a sheep herding demonstration went on while the other athletes tossed a big bean bag over a very high bar. There was so much to see that it took until the next day to visit all the venders as I tried to replace a set of Celtic-themed earrings I recently broke. 

The historical village, the longbow competition, the parade of tartans, and the children's wrestling kept us enthralled even when the second day clouded over and threatened to rain. The beauty of an outdoor festival is that the weather does what it wants and we must adapt. 

Yes, I got to see the Highland cows. There were four in the meadow this year: two adults and two calves. Their horns are amazing and their disposition reminds me of playful puppies. Just don't let one step on your foot! 

These two days gave me a lot of ideas which will soon end up in another book. Happy trails!

Nancy Lee Badger

Teaser from The Rogue's Ring

 

My new book will be released May 12th. Here is the Plot and Excerpt:

Book Blurb

Bryce would never let down his friends. Finding the owners of signet rings was important. Shooting a masked bandit turned his life on end. The last thing Cat wished to do was steal coins from the handsome stranger. When masked, he shoots her. She suspected he had no idea it was her. Together they will save a boy named Blake. He was, after all, special to them both.

PG Excerpt 

Once Bryce had peeled the frozen coat from his body, he headed up the ladder. The blankets were reasonably clean. Heat enveloped him within minutes of having nestled beneath them.

“A short nap is all I need.” His voice echoed amid the rafters. The outside rush of wind and pitter-patter of sleet accentuated the weariness evident in his voice. The cold that had washed over him as he and Ghost rode the trail disappeared. Having only a few blankets for warmth saddened him.

What I’d give for a lass to share my bed…

A dream about Cat and her luscious lips disappeared when he awoke in the dark. No sounds emanated from the roof, meaning the sleet had abated. The darkness concerned him, though. He had overslept, which might be the lingering result of the sleeping draught Cat had given him.

He hated to head out in the dark, but the better weather meant he might get out of the area and closer to Inverness sooner. Climbing down from the loft, Ghost snorted his disapproval at being ignored and alone for so long. Turning his head, he neighed so loud a barn owl flew from the rafters and out a broken window.

“Now, do not be upset. You hated having sleet coat your head as much as I. Here.”

The beast gulped down the fresh water and a handful of oats Bryce offered him.

“We need to go, my friend.”

The farmer appeared before Bryce could lead Ghost from the barn. “Leaving this late, my lord? My wife sent ye some food and wine.”

“My thanks to you and your wife. I overslept, so must be on my way.” He grabbed the sliced loaf of bread stuffed with a hunk of ham and cheese. He ignored the wine.

“Which way toward Inverness? The road closest to the sea was blocked by downed trees.”

“The main road be that a way, my lord. With the clouds gone, the moon should light yer way, good enough.”

Mounting atop Ghost, he tipped his cap and rode away, eager to leave the area in his wake. As they trotted along and Bryce chewed his food, he thought back to the lass he had loved years earlier. She lived on a similar farm in the same area, and had welcomed him into her heart and into her bed.

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A New Book by Author Donna Steele

I met Donna Steele many years ago at a writer's meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina. She lives quite a distance away so it was nice to see her and talk over coffee after those monthly meetings. The pandemic meant we 'talked' on zoom for the next couple of years, but we kept competing by writing the next book and the next (she is winning). I am excited to help her share the release of her latest book, a contemporary romance that will take your breath away.  

Blurb - 

Dylan has no time for a relationship, even one her older relative dictates. She’s learning the corporation she will eventually head and that’s enough, until she steps off the elevator and see the new guy who moved in next door.

Nash’s military career is over, due to an explosion, but he has a job now with friends at Sutton and Associates and new place to live. He can heal there and work from home. Then his new neighbor steps into the hall…

Excerpt -

Dylan stepped off the elevator outside of her place, more than ready to kick off her shoes and relax. It had been a long day and she was more than ready to sluff it off. She had even taken the time to stop in the lobby of her building to look at her dad’s portrait. That had helped. It was on the wall next to Granddad now. Great-aunt Lucille’s picture wasn’t on the wall, not yet, even though she was running the company currently. Such placement would be Dylan’s responsibility after Lucille was gone no doubt.

It was a good portrait of Dad, but she’d so much rather have him back. She would run the company one day, for him. It would have been better to do it together.

She stopped short at the sight of the chaos and mess that confronted her in the hall outside of her apartment.

Flattened cardboard, bubble wrap, and paper wrappings were piled high outside the apartment next door to hers. The place had been unoccupied for a couple of weeks while the company cleaned it. Looked like she had a new neighbor. At least she didn’t see a drum set or any brass instruments thank goodness. Before she could get to her door, the other one opened and a man stepped out.

Okay, yes, she swallowed hard at the sight of him. Damn, did they really make them like that? Tall, well over six feet, military short dark hair, and all muscle. The t-shirt covering his chest showed his pecs off to great advantage. Had she ever seen an honest-to-god six pack not air brushed before? There was no way she could get her arms around his chest. Not that she’d ever have an opportunity to try. She took a mental step back.

He looked up and gave her the most adorable sideways grin which transformed his face from slightly scary to mischievous. There was even a twinkle in his dark eyes. “Sorry. I’ll get this stuff out of here as soon as possible.”

“Don’t worry about it. Moving is a messy business. I’m Dylan, I live there.” She pointed at the apartment next to his. Their doors were next to each other, so his place was a mirror image of hers. Good, their bedrooms were on opposite ends of the apartments because a man who looked like him would no doubt have lots of overnight company.

“Nash.” He held out a hand and she took it, though it engulfed hers. Wherever he came from, they grew ‘em big. Did she hear a slight southern accent? She couldn’t stop herself from wondering how large he was everywhere and mentally slapped herself. This was no way to think about a new neighbor. Even a hunk like him.

“Let me get this out of the way.”

His packing material wasn’t encroaching on her door yet, but it would be soon if he had much more.

“Guess I’ll be seeing you around.” His devastating sideways grin was back, and her next thought was ‘player.’ Damn good-looking player. Yeah, a lot of overnight guests. And she couldn’t blame them.

Snap judgment, Dylan, she chastised herself but met his grin with a smile of her own. “I’m sure we will,” she offered as she stepped inside.

She let herself in and with a last glance, closed the door behind her.

And sank against it.

Damn, he was pretty. Okay, pretty wasn’t nearly the correct word, but looking at him at been no hardship at all. If thugs took over the neighborhood, she was planning to huddle behind him. They’d never see her. Too bad she didn’t have time to pursue something with him. Nope, he was a neighbor in any case, too close for that kind of thing. And she was pretty sure she wasn’t his type. Why did strippers and pole dancers immediately come to mind?

He had however brightened her outlook at the end of a long day.

She kicked off her shoes and headed for the kitchen.

As far as she was concerned, the neighborhood, already nice—despite her aunt’s opinion—had just ticked up several notches.

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Bio -

Donna writes science fiction, paranormal and small-town romances about women coming into their strength and having the courage to find and accept love.

Now that she has retired from going into an office every day, she created an office at home and writes full time. Talk about living the dream!

She was the girl at the party who was yearning for the quiet corner and a book to read (go Rory Gilmore!) and has been writing in her head since she learned to read. Getting those stories down on paper (or in her laptop) has been more fun than she ever imagined it could be.

The possibilities of science fiction have always drawn her, and she’s read them all, there just needed to be a little more romance in them. She finally got up the courage to write them herself and is delighted to be able to share these stories with you.

She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers.

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