Welcome to our special event celebrating Celtomania! We’re happy to welcome Tarah Scott to share in our event today.

CTR: They say “everybody is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day,” so are you really part Celt ““that includes a group of nationalities and ethnic or tribal elements such as Irish, Scots, Welsh, Cornish, Breton and residents of various islands around Great Britain””or just a fellow traveler fascinated by these amazing people?

TS: Thanks so much for having me! As always, it’s great to be at Coffee Time Romance.

Yes, I have a Celtic background. My father was Irish, and my maternal great-grandfather was Scottish.

CTR: Obviously you have written a book with Celtic inspiration so please tell us a bit about it. The ISBN and buy link is always good and maybe some background or “story behind the story’ to pique our reader’s interest. Of course the Celts have long been known as bards, poets and story tellers so maybe that figures in too, right? You can provide a blurb here also!

TS:
The Pendulum: Legacy of the Celtic Brooch is a Scottish medieval. How about we start with a teaser?

Two men.
Two murderers.
Two demands for the promised payment of marriage.

Murder, deceit, and fraud pull Lady Arin Keith between these men.

Which one will bed her, claim her…own her?

In The Pendulum, our heroine Lady Airin Keith has rushed back to her home in the Scottish Highlands to steal the brooch the infamous Scarlet Knight has presented as the brooch that once belonged to her great-grandmother. If Airin doesn’t expose the Scarlet Knight as a liar and forger, she will be forced to honor the pledge that she will marry the man who found the long lost brooch. When the man she believes murdered her sister claims to have the true brooch, Airin becomes caught between these two men.

For excerpts and buy information go to my website http://www.tarahscott.com/

CTR: What do you think is the special appeal of the Celts to modern readers? There seems to be a huge enthusiasm for those “kilty lads” as heroes 😉 and also for Celtic elements ranging from ancient to modern. I know some of the Celtic based spiritual paths such as Druidry are also gaining many new adherents. Do you think that is a result of, a driving force behind or just a parallel to the growing fandom for Celtic romances?

TS:
ROFL. Well, what man doesn’t look good in a kilt! Of course, that’s just the part that starts our blood pumping. What holds our interest is the idea of a culture that just won’t give up. My knowledge lies more with the Scottish Celts, but the Celts in general are fierce people, who proved their ability to survive against countries much more powerful than themselves. The Scottish Army was one of the most formidable armies of earlier days””and still are highly skilled fighters! England counted on the Highland Army to defend them””and win””on numerous occasions. These men were fierce warriors, leaders and, of course, lovers. We would have to be made of stone not be excited by such interesting people.

As for the Celtic spiritual paths such as Druidry playing a part in Celtic popularity, the Celtic culture has been popular for centuries. In the mid-nineteenth century, Queen Victoria made being Scottish fashionable. She and Prince Albert bought Balmoral Castle. Victoria and their children learned Scottish dance. They all even wore kilts! The Celts have a long and diverse history that we are still learning about. How cool is that?

CTR: Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and if so what do you and your friends or family do?

TS:
Of course! Though we’re pretty laid back with our celebrations. My daughter likes to take trinkets to school to give away, colored necklaces, bracelets, or St. Patty’s Day themed candy. I love the old standby, corned beef and cabbage. If there are local parades, we attend. Just an all around fun day.

CTR: If you could choose a Celtic people or place/event to visit, maybe by a time machine, where would you go and why?

TS:
Definitely the Scottish Highlands, which is the locale I write about. The time period is up for grabs. The Pendulum is set during the medieval period, end of the fourteenth century, a very tumultuous time for Scotland. But when wasn’t Scotland in tumult? I might choose the beginning of the sixteenth century when King James IV was in power. James IV was considered a true Renaissance prince with strong interests in science. He was a man who believed in education and insisted Scotland’s noblemen be educated. Heh heh. He could have used a lesson in women’s rights, but perhaps, given more time, he might have worked his way up to that important issue.

CTR: Do you have a favorite Celtic-themed book (besides yours of course) and what do you especially love about it? A fave author who writes Celtic inspired stories?

TS:
I do! I love Dorothy Dunnett, whose books are deep and, oh so well written. Of course, there’s Julie Garwood, who has been a huge inspiration for me. Julie is a wonderful storyteller. There’s also Christina Dodd. ROFL. I guess I have a few favorites!

CTR: It seems the Celts are all known for their music. The folk music store is rich and loved by many whether the Irish dance tunes and ballads, the Welsh choral tradition, the Scots airs and laments or the evocative music of Brittany. Do you have a favorite Celtic artist or album? Do you play some of that music when you are writing to enhance the creative process? When did you discover that artist or style of music?

TS:
No one favorite. I listen primarily to instrumental Celtic music. I love it all, but can’t deny a special affinity for bagpipes. ROFL. Strange, I know, but the bagpipes are such a unique instrument that calls to the soul.

CTR: Before we say farewell, please tell us where we can learn more about you and your books, how to find your blog, website, twitter or Facebook pages, etc.

TS:
Start with my website http://www.tarahscott.com/ where you can learn about my books, contests, and events, as well as my blog. Definitely connect with me via twitter””I adore twitter! It’s such a fast and easy way to keep up with current events. http://twitter.com/#!/TarahScott

CTR: Erin go braugh and Scotland forever! Thanks for sharing this happy event with us all.

TS: Thank you! And a safe and happy St. Patty’s day to all.