CHECK OUT MY STORY

 

CHECK OUT MY STORY  

NEIGHBORLY LOVE 

IN THIS FUNDRAISING ANTHOLOGY

just released by the Writing Group

TRIANGLE ASSOCIATION 

of FREELANCERS (aka TAF)

I step out onto my back deck. The leafless trees cannot disguise the monstrosity behind my small cottage. The four-level structure leers down at my property, but I am getting used to it. I bought the cottage for a bargain during the big building’s construction. The former owner knew what was going up.

I’d prepared for this. My bedroom and den have thick, room darkening, navy-blue curtains. Noise is another bother. If I leave windows or my back screen door open for air flow, I hear cars in the parking garage beneath the structure. Worse, car alarms blare at all hours.

As if on cue, an alarm blasts, nearly making me spill coffee on my slacks.

“I am a writer, y’all! Have a heart and keep the noise level down!” Yelling into the wind makes me feel better, but it wouldn’t accomplish much.

The alarm stops.

“About time!” Taking a deep breath, I sit at my deck’s table. As I think about whether or not I should bring my laptop outside, or return to my claustrophobic den, a voice answers.

“Sorry, sir. I must have hit the alarm button instead of the lock. My car be new and this bloody fob be verra’ weird.”

I pause.

The woman with a lovely accent sounds young, but I can’t see her through the windowless walls of the parking garage. Never mind, she worked her magic and quiet has resumed.

Sipping my coffee, I think about my new book. The decision to write a Scottish historical novel came out of left field. Mom reminded me last month of our Scottish ancestry, although our ancestors emigrated centuries earlier. I feel American, not Scottish. However, a visceral need to write a novel with a Scottish theme hit me one night, so here I sit wondering how to approach it.

Watching movies like Braveheart and episodes of Outlander isn’t enough. My niece made me sit through the animated Brave movie. They all gave me a sense of Highland life, but not enough to write an outline.

“Ye be looking deep in thought, but I again wish to apologize for the rude noise. Will ye forgive me?”

I choke on my coffee.

 Get your copy today and check out the stories, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as poetry, from over 30 members as they raise funds to keep the organization striving to help its members achieve their writing goals. TAF is 501(c)(3) nonprofit group of professional freelance writers primarily based in the Triangle region of North Carolina.

Print Versions

AMAZON     AMAZON AU

Barnes Noble PRINT   BAM

Quail Ridge Books   Powells

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Amazon Ebook   Amazon AU

Amazon CA   Amazon UK

APPLE   KOBO

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and many other Buy Links HERE

Happy reading!

Nancy Lee Badger

The Story Continues across North Carolina

 Happy, Happy Friday the 13th!

Although I was not born in North Carolina, I have come to love this part of our fabulous country. After traipsing around the state, mostly using recommendations by my sisters who had relocated here years before, I discovered the North Carolina Museum of Art. It swept me away and when its 164 acres brought me to the open-air Rodin Garden, I was hooked. Huge statues by the sculptor, Auguste Rodin, made ideas swim in my writer's mind. The result?

The Warriors in Bronze series.

Published April 15: HEAVEN-SENT WARRIOR

Asleep inside a bronze statue, a naked Frenchman wakes a century later to save a half-Fae, museum curator from a demon bent on ruling our present-day world.

Published May 15: HEAVEN-SENT HIGHLANDER

A Scottish Highlander falls in battle only to awaken beside bronze statues at a present-day museum. Befriended by a beautiful Fae creature and her allies, he must defeat a demon or die.

To be Published June 15: HEAVEN-SENT FLAME

An English lass grows up in a Scottish coven only to awaken in a strange new world with sculptures, a handsome man, and a hate-filled demon. Falling in love while saving the world was not the plan!

These books are available in ebook and print.

Find all Buy Links

HERE

The beginning of summer is right around the corner, so these books make great 'beach reads.' Will you consider adding one to your beach chair?

Nancy Lee Badger 

p.s. Happy Father's Day June 15, 2025

p.s. Happy birthday to our son, Eric, born on Father's Day many years ago (when it was June 16th)

A 'NEW' Book for a New Beginning

 

April has been a busy month for me as an author and traveler. When preparations for the release of my new book Heaven-Sent Warrior were finalized (the book was released April 15th), my hubby and I traveled to visit relatives in hurricane-devastated Western North Carolina then attended the Loch Norman Highland games. 

The book is a romantic paranormal with fantasy elements set in present-day North Carolina. My characters meet at the fictional Raleigh Museum of Art and their adventure takes them to the Blue Ridge Mountains then to the Atlantic Ocean. 

With the book available as an ebook, a paperback, and hardcover, everyone should find their copy HERE. 

Our visit to Asheville, Swannanoa, and Black Mountain opened our eyes to the tragedy a 1,000 year flood and 1,200+ landslides had caused. Our relatives lost trees and a shed, but not their homes. However, all the food in their refrigerator was lost due to weeks with no power. Drinkable water took trips to distribution centers to find, once the roads opened.

Our cousin gave us a drive-around tour and she was surprised at how much work had been accomplished in the last few weeks. She attributes it to a recent visit from President Trump. So many people lost their homes as the buildings washed down the river. Others have struggled to clean-out and make their standing homes livable.

Leaving those mountains, we arrived near the southern end of Lake Norman, north of Charlotte. We attended Saturday's Loch Norman Highland Games and were happy to see the rainy weather had cleared. We cheered on the clans and bands, had our shredded USA flags retired by burning them in a patriotic ceremony, and visited the historic village. We ate meat pies and shortbread and listened to the bagpipes while watching athletes perform (Women challenged other women, while men hung out together. Only the kids wrestling was co-ed). 

Now that we have returned home, I am off to set the table for our family's Easter 2025 Get-together, hoping the weather will allow us to sit together on the deck. I will remind you once in awhile about my new book and work on bringing out the next two books in the series. 

Enjoy Passover and Easter.

Nancy Lee Badger  

Scottish Games, Hurricanes, and a New Book

The annual New Hampshire Highland Games are again a memory, but the weather could not have been better. Last year, the Saturday of the 3-Day festival held in Lincoln, NH was CANCELLED due to a passing hurricane! This cost the committee and its visitors tons of money and misery, so this year's overcast days were welcome.

Yesterday, an hour after we returned home to Raleigh, North Carolina, we received a TORNADO WARNING! Hurricane Helene ran by and the rain has made a mess with a rising creek in our backyard and tree limbs down, but no tornado as yet. The rain is welcome to keep away the drought, but the wind has proved deadly, west of us. 

So, we are safe and dry and this gives me the opportunity to mention that my short story 'A Day at the Beach' and my poem 'Feathered Travel Time' has been released in the TAF Omnibus III. This is a book filled with stories and poems by a multitude of writers donating their work to the Triangle Association of Freelancers which is a Raleigh-based writing group and I am a member. 

Check out the newest book and all the links HERE

Nancy Lee Badger

A Horse as a Character and Free Excerpt

 

PG Excerpt from THE ROGUE'S RING

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. 

 

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT!

Find all Buy Links HERE

A New BOOK, A Blog Tour, and a Giveaway. Oh My!

 

What a difference a week makes. A week ago, I published my 45th book, THE ROGUE'S RING.  That same day, I took a bad fall and broke my wrist and five ribs, all on my left side. (I am writing this with the one-handed hunt & peck method.)

So, I am thankful I am recuperating and that I have family to help me. I am also applauding SILVER DAGGER BLOG TOURS who have continued to get the word out there about my book release.

BUY LINKS

Amazon * Apple * Kobo 

Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Enter to Win my Giveaway HERE 

while learning more about my new book!

(Contest will end June 4th)

...and thanks for all your

good wishes and prayers.

Nancy Lee Badger

Announcing the Release of my New Book!

 

Writing a novel is a lonely occupation. Promoting our work can make our throats grow closed and our skin crawl. The idea of 'putting myself out there' is not my favorite thing to do, or try to do. Please bear with me as I announce the release of 

Book Number 

The Rogue's Ring, a Scottish historical romance,  was released May 12, 2023 and follows Love, Hamish and The Earl's Treasure and The Duke's Diamond in my Treasure Tales series. Buy Links:

AMAZON      AMAZON UK

AMAZON CA      AMAZON AU

and everywhere else HERE

(coming soon in print) 

To celebrate, I am giving away a prize package and the winner is posted HERE 

I will also be involved in a book tour next week with other prizes so watch for this banner and be sure to check out my book.

Book Blurb

Bryce Ketteridge would never let down his friends. If finding the owners of signet rings was important, he would do his share. Shooting a masked bandit turned his life on end. What followed was not in his plans.

The last thing Cat Douglas wished to do was steal coins from the handsome stranger. When he later shoots her while she threatened a nobleman’s coach, she suspected he had no idea it was her. Kidnapped boys, pirate threats, and murder propel them to save a boy named Blake. He was, after all, special to them both.

What do Pirates Have to do With it?

On my way to publishing another book (yes, I have lost count but its around 40) I decided that I love all things Scottish. I enjoy reading historical novels set in Scotland (thank you Hannah Howell!) and this series grew more exciting the minute I added pirates. 

My Treasure tales series follows three 'Englishmen' who actually have Scottish ties, and the Scottish women they meet. Please consider reading all three novels, but any will take you from beginning to end with a full story, a treasure hunt, some villains, and romance. 

The third and final book in the series

 releases May 12th

IN ONE WEEK!

It is available for pre-order as an ebook. The print book will follow shortly. Until then, here is a short plot description:

Bryce Ketteridge would never let down his friends. If finding the owners of signet rings was important, he would do his share. Shooting a masked bandit turned his life on end. What followed was not in his plans.

The last thing Cat Douglas wished to do was steal coins from the handsome stranger. When he later shoots her while she threatened a nobleman’s coach, she suspected he had no idea it was her. Kidnapped boys, pirate threats, and murder propel them to save a boy named Blake. He was, after all, special to them both.

Find all Buy Links HERE

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. 

Pre-Order Today here:

AMAZON      AMAZON UK

AMAZON CA      AMAZON AU

and everywhere else HERE

(coming soon in print) 

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.

Pre-Order Today here:

AMAZON      AMAZON UK

AMAZON CA      AMAZON AU

and everywhere else HERE

(coming soon in print) 

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.

Buy links - Amazon     B&N 

                      iBooks    Kobo  

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.

Please sign up for her newsletter here.

And follow her at Twitter, Bookbub, Goodreads, Facebook

 

Cover Reveal: The Rogue's Ring by author Nancy Lee Badger

Life happens when you are making other plans.

My plans tend to go by the wayside. My third full-length book in my Treasure Tales series, following The Earls Treasure and The Dukes Diamond, was on the calendar to be released in early January 2023. The plot takes place starting on New Years Day 1817 amid snow surrounding the Bellmeer Estate in Northern England. The next day, my hero and some friends head into Scotland to follow a treasure and reunite nobles with their stolen signet rings.

What happened to my proposed book's release day you ask?

I had cataract surgeries December 12th and January 30th which should have occurred November 28 and December 12th. If the original plan happened, my eyesight would have been perfect and the last edits and the book's release would occur on schedule. Because the first eye was delayed (someone in the surgeon's family got Covid), he could not do my second surgery until the end of January. In those six weeks between surgeries, I could not read, write, or drive. Add to this a member of my family coming down with Covid in early January that put her in the hospital and you can imagine my priorities had changed.

So, I decided to let fate take my lemons and give me lemonade (sugar-free, of course) I took my time editing my book, and created a cover that continued the theme of the series. My thanks to Kim Killion at The Killion Group Images for wonderful subjects that fit my vision of the main characters. 

The Rogues Ring is up for pre-order just about everywhere. Look for buy links HERE. Also, please read the short plot:

Bryce Ketteridge would never let down his friends. If finding the owners of signet rings was important, he would do his share. Shooting a masked bandit turned his life on end. What followed was not in his plans.

The last thing Cat Douglas wished to do was steal coins from the handsome stranger. When he later shoots her while she threatened a nobleman’s coach, she suspected he had no idea it was her. Kidnapped boys, pirate threats, and murder propel them to save a boy named Blake. He was, after all, special to them both.

Check out the other books in the Treasure Tales series

in ebook & Print!

Remember to pre-order The Rogue's Ring.

Release day is May 12, 2023