I’m having a great time hosting Santa Watch. We never really grow up, do we? My daughter woke up this morning and reminded me that she gets to open one present early. ROFL. She’s about to turn fourteen and is so certain she’s grown up. I won’t tell her the truth. Funny how when we’re young we want to be old, and when we’re older we want to be young.
It’s warmer than usual here in NY. Yay! So no Christmas snow for us. I can’t say I’m sorry. Last year we had a blizzard and those just aren’t any fun.
My latest release is my first big book, the Scottish Historical Lord Keeper from Etopia Press.
No man bargains for war when he chooses a bride, but when he steals her from holy ground, he can expect nothing less.
Iain MacPherson swore he was nothing like his father, but his kidnapping of Victoria Hockley, the Countess of Lansbury is the first step toward the same obsessive jealousy that fueled his father’s life-long feud against the chief Iain’s mother loved.
A kiss, a midnight race for freedom, and a royal missive force Victoria into her captor’s arms. Hallowed ground can’t save her from the devil that followed her from England. Yet the Scottish lord who swears to protect her is far more dangerous.
Yes, that’s Jimmy Thomas on the cover! How lucky am I?
Here’s a snippet from the book–
“My lord, did you know a ghost walks the grounds of Fauldun Castle?”
Iain halted and turned.
Victoria spared a smug glance for Maude, who stood near the sink, then said to him, “Were you aware of this?”
“Nay.”
Victoria sauntered over to Maude. “Maude saw him the day you left.”
Iain’s eyes shifted to the housekeeper, who stared at Victoria as if she’d lost her mind.
“The ghost looks very much like you,” Victoria said.
“A ghost is it, now?” Maude said in a soft voice.
Victoria looked down at where the smaller woman now leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed over her stomach as if she hadn’t a care in the world. An unsettling sense that Maude was the cat and she was now the mouse gave her pause, but she looked at Iain and added, “What else could it have been? Unless that was you leaving my cottage the morning you left?”
Iain’s expression darkened and Victoria startled when Iain took three steps and stopped in front of her. “What mischief are you up to?”
She stared, confused.
“Come now, lass,” Maude put in. “Why go on with this ruse?”
“Ruse?” Victoria split a glance between her two adversaries. “He is standing before us and yet you continue with your tale?”
Maude gave her an odd look, then turned to Iain. “Laird, what happened the morning you visited V—er, the lass?”
“Nothing happened,” he boomed, “but if someone does not explain what is going on, something is likely to happen.” He looked at Victoria. “Is there something I should know? Who else were you expecting?”
Victoria stilled. “Are you saying you did come that morning?”
He bent down, nose to nose with her. “Who were you expecting?”
“Not you!” She shoved his chest. Iain fell back a step and Victoria advanced on him. “How dare you?” Clenching her hand into a fist, she hit his stomach. Pain radiated up her arm. She recoiled with a howl. “Now look what you have done.” She rubbed the injured hand.
“I—”
“Never do that again,” she growled.
Iain’s forehead creased. “Tis not my fault you were foolish enough to hit me.”
“Oh, no.” Victoria shook her head. “This is your fault and more—and you know I am not speaking of that.” She jabbed at his stomach.
Iain’s glance flicked from his abdomen to Maude. “What in the name of the devil happened while I was away?”
“Who gave you leave to come uninvited into my bedchamber?” Victoria demanded.
His head snapped in her direction, lips thinned.
“Do not think to intimidate me with that look. You had no right.” She threw her hands up and strode to the counter. Palms down, she leaned against the counter, closed her eyes and took a calming breath.
“Is this shrewish tirade because I visited you the day I left?” he demanded.
Victoria opened her eyes and caught sight of the bowl containing the beginnings of shortbread batter sitting on the counter. She gripped the bowl edges and looked over her shoulder. “Shrewish tirade? Nay, my lord, you are mistaken. This, however, may suffice.” Victoria spun, bowl in hand. The batter spewed outward. The majority hit Iain in a splattered spray, leaving the remainder in a wide arc across the kitchen walls.
A collective gasp went up. Iain looked down at the batter blotched across breacan and white shirt, then back at Victoria. His gaze held hers, and her pulse jumped when he stalked toward her. He neared and she retreated. He took another slow step closer and she retreated more, until shoulders met hard stone and he stopped inches from her. With deliberation, Iain took a finger and wiped some of the mixture off his sash. His eyes never left hers as he lifted the finger and put it in his mouth. With a loud sucking sound, he pulled it out.
“Shortbread,” he remarked. “How fortunate for me you had not added the flour.”
Victoria blinked. He gave a low laugh and stretched his arms out on both sides of her, trapping her against the wall.
“If you wanted to share, sweet, you might have asked.”
He leaned so close his breath fanned her eyelashes. A glint entered his eyes and she belatedly comprehended his intention. Iain rubbed against her, smearing the sweet batter across the front of her dress. Soft contours of her breasts gave way to hard muscle and her nipples tightened. She gasped in surprise. His gaze sharpened. Iain seized her shoulders and yanked her against him, giving her a hard kiss. She lifted a foot with the intention of slamming the heel down on his boot, but he pushed away in time to escape.
“Now, now, love,” he drawled as he headed for the door, “save something for later. Maude, a hot bath, if you please.” He paused in the doorway and looked over his shoulder at Victoria. “Would you care to join me?”
My first review for Lord Keeper is from Queentutt
What a fantastic story that is passionately breath taking at every turn within the story. I was captivated from the very first page eating up every little detail about the Scottish Lord “Iain” and the English woman Victoria and knew immediately I was as in for a great read.
This is my first read from this author and I just have to say that I am truly a fan now, the writing is superb and I look forward to reading more of her works.
I’m giving away a digital copy of Lord Keeper to one commenter.
What's coming up for me?
It’s a Mississippi Deputy Sheriff’s duty to bring a serial killer to justice…even when he’s a three hundred year old Scottish lord.
It’s an SAS agent’s duty to save her.
COMING JANUARY 2012
Sounds great, thanks for the excerpt. Merry Christmas!
You're very welcome, Eva. Have a wonderful holiday.
Oh, this is going to be a great year, Tarah! Thanks for sharing those gorgeous covers!
f dot chen at comcast dot net
Merry Christmas Tarrah! I am smiling at your daughter, it reminds me of mine when they were that age. But I am such a sucker that I always gave in like two days before christmas and let them open one a day until Christmas eve at midnight and then we opened them all. We still do that today, now I get to see my grand kids do it.
Lord Keeper is an excellent read, I totally loved it! So go out and buy it everyone!
Ronda Tutt
Yeah, she grins and knows she’ll wheedle her way. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks for the excerpt, sounds super good! We normally have snow here in the Midwest, but it's really dry here now which is fine by me since I hate snow.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
I am having so much fun with this Santa Watch. All my baking is done and presents wrapped, so I have time to enjoy. And I would definitely enjoy reading Lord Keeper. This excerpt puts a whole new spin on shortbread.
ROFL. It does, doesn’t it, Judi. So glad you’re enjoying Santa Watch.
No snow for us this Christmas either here in MN. Looking pretty brown and ugly. That's so true about wanting to be older when you're younger and vice versa. I'm kind of liking the 40's though, but Christmas is stressful. Funny how when you're younger the only stress related to Christmas is counting down the days!
I loved my 40s too, Missy. I’d love to have them back! HA!
I am loving Santa watch, thanks for doing this! No snow here either, which suits me just fine. Thanks for sharing the book excerpt and the awesome covers!
You're very welcome, Joanne. We're so glad you could be here. Aren't those covers fabulous. Melisssa Alvarez is the artist for Labyrinth, btw.
Those are yummy sounding books Tarah and of course the covers a well and in do see Jimmy on there, as well 🙂
laineslite@gmail dot com
Jimmy makes a fabulous Highlander, doesn’t he?
Love your covers!!
Thank you! Every one of the artists did an amazing job.
Great excerpt. Can't wait to read Lord Keeper. I put it on my wishlist. Santa watch is a lot of fun. Thanks.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
So glad you’re enjoying yourself.
Hello Tarah,
That's sweet about your daughter. I always send my niece an extra present with something Christmas themed. Like hair jewelry or a fancy pen and mark it to be opened early.
I am reading Lord Keeper now. It is a wonderful story! 🙂
Thanks for the compliment, Natasha!
It was always difficult waiting until Christmas but now with so much to do I want an extra day or two.
ROFL. Then you’d only have more to do.
I'm horrible at keeping secrets about gifts so everyone gets to open their gift from me early. Me and your daughter would get along great! Hhahaha.
ROFL. She would love you, Zee.
My comment is just YUM. Thanks! 😉
HA!! That says it all, Deanna.
All 3 books look great! Lord Keeper is already on my wishlist, now so are the others.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
I’ll do my best to deliver, June.
OMG, Tarah!
Love the excerpt! Can I lick the sweet stuff off the hot stuff!?! Pleeeeeeeeaase!!
Heck yeah, Theresa. Isn’t that what it’s for? heh heh.
Your book is on my list… It is definitely on my want list… what a yummy cover! The other 2 sound like they are going to be good reads too…
Thank you, Colleen.
Oh I do love the Scots,
I'm planning on a trip to Ireland next year and the following year Scottland. I'm so fascinated by both these beautiful countries. If the Creators willing I will make it to Scottland. I can't wait to read.
Merry Christmas.
Teresa K.
tcwgrlup41(at)yahoodotcom
Tarah, your doing an awesome job hosting the party!! It rocks!! You books look amazing. I was checking them out at TRS. Have a great Holiday!
viajeradelmar@aol.com
I agree. Your doing awesome with this party! So fun and im finding so many authors that i didnt know. 😉 Gotta love new books. ;D And yours sound great! Thanks for everything! Merry Christmas!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Great party and your books look so good esp. Lords keeper. christina_92 at yahoo.com