The Final Hoorah-A Celtic Ending

Top of the morn to ya! I’m so thrilled to be here. Without doubt, Coffee Time Romance is one of my favorite cyber-spots. For those of you who are unfamiliar with me, I’m a well-traveled New Englander, proud mom and writer with a mad addiction to romance, fantasy and anything related to the paranormal world. My story settings started in Ireland and have since traveled through the Scottish Highlands, England, France, Greece, Italy, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. As it’s my latest release, I thought I’d focus on the third novel in my Highlander time-travel trilogy, Sylvan Mist. Nothing like sexy Scottish wizards in kilts, aye? So─as I say at my blog─grab a cup of java, sit back, relax and read on!

Sylvan Mist was by far the trickiest novel I’ve written to date. Not only did it need to be able to stand on its own, but it had to tie up the series. That meant three previous stories. Yep, three! The King’s Druidess, lead the pack. This tale originated within the Dal’Riada clan on the distant shores of Eire. Then it was on to Fate’s Monolith, Destiny’s Denial and Sylvan Mist, the sweeping saga which interconnected the Scottish Highlands with the state of New Hampshire over an eight hundred year span. Naturally, as Ireland birthed all of this, the Claddagh ring is a strong thread throughout. Oh, did I mention the entire trilogy revolves around my Scottish clan and my husband’s? Turns out the two were intermarried for 300 years, between the 13th and 16th centuries. Aye, that makes us enough removed to have married in the 21st century! *chuckles*

Back to business. However tricky to pen, I soon became lost in Sylvan Mist’s tale. Though it saddened me to say goodbye to the characters I’d come to love, I finally wrapped up the trilogy and Sylvan Mist has since been received very well. So, time to have some fun! I’d like to once more celebrate the final release of my series with a little contest. All you need to do to be entered for a chance to win a signed copy of Sylvan Mist is leave a random comment with a bit o’ Scottish or Irish flare to it. What does that mean? Simple. Some part of your comment must include a Scots or Irish word or phrase, Gaelic counts too! You choose. Some Examples: Lassie, Lad, Braw, Ken, Dinnae…you get the idea. Need a little help? Check out this SITE for Scots translation. This SITE for Gaelic.

It’s not over yet! Time to share more about Sylvan Mist. Here goes…

Coira O’Donnell refuses to acknowledge the Scotsman haunting her. Why should she? She carries no magic and she’s newly engaged. Well aware of the mysterious tie between the medieval Mac’Lomains and her mother’s clan, the Brouns, Coira will have no part of it. She much prefers a proper English gentleman to a barbarian living six hundred years in the past. However, as one whirlwind day will prove, she has little choice in the matter.

Chieftain William Mac’Lomain did not call her back, yet she arrives. Coira is not the woman meant for him. Or is she? Her arrival marks the start of a highland war unlike any Scotland has witnessed before, one born of magic. Soon, he finds himself in a tangled web of duty, loyalty and unexpected love. A love so unattainable and powerful it may cost him the war; and his heart.

A little taste…

The fast-fading moonlight poured over her small form. Coira dropped the fur cloak to her feet, leaving only the pale gray of her wool gown and plaid wrap. She removed the wrap. It fell, a dull shadow against the pool of fur at her ankles.

He spoke within her mind. “Coira, what are you doing?”

Coira didn’t respond but turned to face him, the fabric shuffling and twisting in the snow. She stood a distance away, but he could see the steel and determination in her gaze. He could also see the flagon of whisky clutched loosely in her hand.

He went to step forward but she shook her head. “I needed time alone. Is that too much to ask?”

William watched her newfound magic ignite, glow around her─a silver haze the color of mist and moonlight. He didn’t move but waited. “’Tis not so much to ask for, if we were not at war.”

“We are not at war, William! Are we?” Her gaze shifted, covered the sky, the land, and his face in one sweep.

Damn Ferchar for giving her that whisky. What had he hoped to accomplish? William held his ground. His words were as wrought with double meaning as hers. “We are not at war, lass. Not quite yet.”

She sipped again from the whisky. “Go to hell. Leave me be.”

But she didn’t turn away.

William decided upon logic. “You’re nearly bluttered, Coira.”

“And what of it?” She took another sip and wiped her mouth with her sleeve, making a wide swipe with her arm. “Do I not deserve to be after all of this? After you!”

He moved with a lightning speed born of magic until he stood in front her. “You deserve a hundred flagons of whisky, if ’tis your desire after all of this, but not now.”

Head tilted back, she narrowed her eyes at him. “But now is now, is it not, William? Now is a mere day before we might die. Before war. Why do you push me away? No. Don’t answer that; you’ve your reasons, I’m sure. Perhaps you don’t want to become more attached to me before I die. Or you die!”

No more. William stopped the endless stream of words with his mouth. He pushed hard against her lips, hoping she would fight him so that he could let her know she had no choice. That he had no choice. But she didn’t. Her hands came up, encased his face, and sweetly deepened the exchange.

He’d been strong until this point. Well in control of his emotions. The urgency of her soft lips snapped his determination in half, made a mockery of his good intentions. He’d endured the horrible need and want night after night as she had, but knew Adlin was right. His final decision─if it came to it─must be for his clan, not her.

Her small hands found their way beneath his cloak, up under his tunic and stroked each muscle. She whispered, urged, pleaded. Her body quivered against his. Sharply reminded him of how she shook upon release, completion. What if she died? What if he did? William needed to feel her sleek heat once more. Groaning, he pulled Coira closer, lifted her, and walked forward until her back pressed against the flat surface of the boulder.

What they’re saying about Sylvan Mist…

“If you’re looking for that great summer beach read that will take your mind off all your worries this one is for you. If you love the time travel romances of Lynn Kurland, this one equals any of hers. This is a must read for fans of great romance.” ~LASR

“I have never read any of Sky Purington’s books before, but after reading “Sylvan Mist,” I can’t wait to read more. It is a great book, mixing magic with history and time travel with romance, all following a family line through time.” ~Night Owl Reviews

Enjoy contests? Every weekday and most weekends, I feature romance authors with giveaways. Right now my Sizzlin’ Heroes of Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales summer blog event is in full swing. (Aye, I considered just saying United Kingdom. *winks*) Pop over to my BLOG to learn more! In fact, I’ve extended your chance to win Sharon Donovan’s, The Claddagh Ring through midnight tonight. 12 PM EST.

Interested in the latest news? Visit my Website or follow me on Facebook and Twitter. Join my Yahoo Group by October 1^st, 2010 and be entered to win a $10 gift certificate to The Wild Rose Press. Come join the fun. I promise, I won’t bite! Not hard at least…but that’s getting into my vampire tales. No time for that right now. *grins*

Don’t forget to leave a Scots/Irish comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Sylvan Mist. I’ll announce a winner on my CTR Page first thing tomorrow morn.

To Bonnie, thanks for all your help. You rock, woman!

Cheers ~Sky