Medieval Monday, Week 7

Medieval Monday, autumn-style

WEEK 7

Another week of Medieval Monday!

Check out Medieval Romance Lovers as we share in the fall theme of "Nature" in our excerpts from our medieval stories. You’ll see weekly snippets each Monday on our blogs. And since I live in New England, home to memorable fall foliage, I will continue to try to post some photos! This week, though, is a map from my book. The trilogy spans across northern England, the Highlands, and west to the isles.

Read last week’s scene snippet here.

I encourage you to follow along with all the other Medieval Monday authors on the Facebook page here. You will find the links to their blogs where they are sharing their snippets. There may be even be some giveaways on the page…

Catch Medieval Monday this fall on Twitter with the hashtag #MedMonFall20

You can also find us on Twitter at #MedMonFall20

This week’s snippet…

Set-up:

Domhnall is a Seer who descends from powerful Ancients with mystical abilities. He suffers from terrible visions of the Sight, an affliction that comes with each touch, except with Rosalie. He is taking Rosalie on a stroll through the village. They come upon the loch shore and he suggests they collect pebbles for her necklace-making. Rosalie is a crafter and fortune-teller, scrimping to make ends meet and support her uncle and aunt, but she is also on the run from a vengeful noblewoman not pleased with her readings. She tells lies for a living. Domhnall believes her to be a true seer.

This week’s snippet…

He should stop. It had been too bloody long. By his Holy Father, he wanted to do so much more. They both drew back simultaneously. A smile tipped her lips. “I—” he breathed.

She blinked over a frown.

Her look crushed him. Had he overstepped? He helped her upright. She fluffed her layers of skirts, huffed like a frazzled hen. “Domhnall, I must tell you something.”

She didn’t reciprocate the feelings. Shame flushed his cheeks. He’d been too forward, too eager. “Aye?”

She swallowed, licked her lips, busied herself with gathering the pebble pile, dropping stones into a linen sack. She spoke in a flurry. “In England, there was a lady of a castle. She—”

She whimpered, the crease digging deeper in her forehead. Dammit, he wanted to kiss it again.

“I tried to tell her what would happen if her husband went to war. The Despensers’ dispute. I tried.”

Stay Tuned….

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Goodreads ~ Kobo ~ Google ~ coming out in audio book format on Audible and iTunes soon!

Medieval Monday, Week 6

Medieval Monday, autumn-style

WEEK 6

Another week of Medieval Monday!

Check out Medieval Romance Lovers as we share in the fall theme of "Nature" in our excerpts from our medieval stories. You’ll see weekly snippets each Monday on our blogs. And since I live in New England, home to memorable fall foliage, I will continue to try to post some photos! This week, though, is a map from my book. The trilogy spans across northern England, the Highlands, and west to the isles.

Read last week’s scene snippet here.

I encourage you to follow along with all the other Medieval Monday authors on the Facebook page here. You will find the links to their blogs where they are sharing their snippets. There may be even be some giveaways on the page…

Unique angles as fall ushers in resplendent color.

You can also find us on Twitter at #MedMonFall20

This week’s snippet…

Set-up:

Domhnall is a Seer who descends from powerful Ancients with mystical abilities. He suffers from terrible visions of the Sight, an affliction that comes with each touch, except with Rosalie. He is taking Rosalie on a stroll through the village. They come upon the loch shore and he suggests they collect pebbles for her necklace-making. Rosalie is a crafter and fortune-teller, scrimping to make ends meet and support her uncle and aunt, but she is also on the run from a vengeful noblewoman not pleased with her readings. She tells lies for a living. Domhnall believes her to be a true seer.

Eilean Donan Castle, seat of Clan MacCoinneach and home to Domhnall Montgomerie.

This week’s snippet…

Neither moved. His heart raced. “I…”

She answered with a kiss, full on his lips. Not only was she resolute, Rosalie did not play demure games. He cupped the nape of her neck, drawing her closer, allowing himself to disappear in the kiss. The only blackness across his vision was his own. No damning words, hissing Wind, or blood and death. Only a rousing from within. She tasted like the earth, pure and

humble. A hint of honey on her tongue from the sweet pies they’d eaten at the village baker’s. He dared to part her lips and enjoyed her deeper. They were alone. No escort or guard. His parents weren’t concerned with courting rules anyway. Domhnall made his own choices, and he was not one to corrupt a young, naïve lass. Rosalie was hardly unsophisticated though. She was a person of the world, like him.

A sigh escaped her throat, and he moaned in return.

Stay Tuned….

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Goodreads ~ Kobo ~ Google

Medieval Monday, Week 5

Medieval Monday, autumn-style

WEEK 5

Another week of Medieval Monday!

Check out Medieval Romance Lovers as we share in the fall theme of "Nature" in our excerpts from our medieval stories. You’ll see weekly snippets each Monday on our blogs. And since I live in New England, home to memorable fall foliage, I will continue to try to post some photos!

My post last week (week 4) was delayed due to a family health emergency, so if you missed it, be sure to read it here.

I encourage you to follow along with all the other Medieval Monday authors on the Facebook page here. You will find the links to their blogs where they are sharing their snippets. There may be even be some giveaways on the page…

You can also find us on Twitter at #MedMonFall20

This week’s snippet…

Set-up:

Domhnall is a Seer who descends from powerful Ancients with mystical abilities. He suffers from terrible visions of the Sight, an affliction that comes with each touch, except with Rosalie. He is taking Rosalie on a stroll through the village. They come upon the loch shore and he suggests they collect pebbles for her necklace-making. Rosalie is a crafter and fortune-teller, scrimping to make ends meet and support her uncle and aunt, but she is also on the run from a vengeful noblewoman not pleased with her readings. She tells lies for a living. Domhnall believes her to be a true seer.

Slioch, Highlands.

Last week’s snippet is here. Now week 5…

He felt less foolish sharing with Rosalie about his family’s stories and heritage. They both worked quietly, lost in thought. The morning’s sun dappled gold in the choppy blue-green loch. He gloried in the day’s coolness, a break from the oppressive heat, and the momentary respite with Rosalie. He loved her inquisitiveness. She was unlike many of the lassies or ladies. Boring, most of them. “I can have our village stonemason bore holes in the pebbles for you, for easier threading.”

She was right beside him. She jerked her head up.

“That would be kind—”

Their heads collided. “Oh.” She clutched her forehead and stumbled.

He dropped the stones from his hand and grabbed her before she could fall into the water. They toppled onto the pebbly shore. He laughed, she smirked. “I’ve heard of hard-headed, but graces.” She rubbed her forehead, the crease returning in a pink spot. His head rang, and not just from the bump.

Her chest heaved from exhilaration and she frowned. He kissed the corner of her mouth “Sorry,” he breathed, holding her, close.

“It’s just a bump. I’ll be fine.” She rubbed her head with emphasis, not taking her eyes off his.

“No, not that. For, er…” Blazes, why could he not string his words together when around her? “For kissing you. Not proper. Shouldn’t have.” Words said one thing, body said another. He didn’t release her.

“No apology needed. And not everything needs to be proper or planned.”

Stay Tuned….

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Goodreads ~ Kobo ~ Google

Medieval Monday, Week 4

Medieval Monday, autumn-style

WEEK 4

Another week of Medieval Monday!

Check out Medieval Romance Lovers as we share in the fall theme of "Nature" in our excerpts from our medieval stories. You’ll see weekly snippets each Monday on our blogs. And since I live in New England, home to memorable fall foliage, I will continue to try to post some photos!

I apologize for the tardiness of this post, as our family had a health emergency this week.

I encourage you to follow along with all the other Medieval Monday authors on the Facebook page here. You will find the links to their blogs where they are sharing their snippets. There may be even be some giveaways on the page…

You can also find us on Twitter at #MedMonFall20

This week’s snippet…

Set-up:

Domhnall is a Seer who descends from powerful Ancients with mystical abilities. He suffers from terrible visions of the Sight, an affliction that comes with each touch, except with Rosalie. He is taking Rosalie on a stroll through the village. They come upon the loch shore and he suggests they collect pebbles for her necklace-making. Rosalie is a crafter and fortune-teller, scrimping to make ends meet and support her uncle and aunt, but she is also on the run from a vengeful noblewoman not pleased with her readings. She tells lies for a living. Domhnall believes her to be a true seer.

Last week’s snippet is here. Now week 4…

Rosalie squealed with delight. “Look at this one!” She hovered intently over a pool, turning over rocks, not a care in the world as the hem of her simple gown grew soppy and her fingers muddy. She held a pebble up, face brimming with pride.

He drew nearer. “Bonnie. I see blue and opal.”

“Why are the unique ones here? They’re all round and smooth. So different from other places.”

He continued digging, thoroughly enjoying himself. “Not sure why. There’s plenty of lore about our region of Scotland. Magic in stones, some say,” he said, echoing his earlier statement. “I believe it’s rooted in nature. The lochs and rivers flow to this spot, and perhaps it has something to do with water’s movement and the rock composition. Others proclaim this area as gateway to the isles. My grandfather always told me stories of Norse warriors, battles and the like. It’s a mystical place, some say. Even the mountains have a story to their creation.”

“Maybe the water is magical, too?” She toyed with a sweet smile. Her dimple appeared again.

He wanted to kiss it.

Stay Tuned….

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Goodreads ~ Kobo ~ Google

Medieval Monday, Week 3

Medieval Monday, autumn-style

WEEK 3

Another week of Medieval Monday!

Check out Medieval Romance Lovers as we share in the fall theme of "Nature" in our excerpts from our medieval stories. You’ll see weekly snippets each Monday on our blogs. And since I live in New England, home to memorable fall foliage, I will continue to try to post some photos! It’s been a busy fall (in home) as my kids and I juggle work and remote schooling…trying to get out there and enjoy the sights and sounds of autumn!

I encourage you to follow along with all the other Medieval Monday authors on the Facebook page here. You will find the links to their blogs where they are sharing their snippets. There may be even be some giveaways on the page…

You can also find us on Twitter at #MedMonFall20

This week’s snippet…

Set-up:

Domhnall is a Seer who descends from powerful Ancients with mystical abilities. He suffers from terrible visions of the Sight, an affliction that comes with each touch, except with Rosalie. He is taking Rosalie on a stroll through the village. They come upon the loch shore and he suggests they collect pebbles for her necklace-making. Rosalie is a crafter and fortune-teller, scrimping to make ends meet and support her uncle and aunt, but she is also on the run from a vengeful noblewoman not pleased with her readings. She tells lies for a living. Domhnall believes her to be a true seer.

The setting for this scene: the edge of Loch Duich, along Eilean Donan Castle (the central seat of the clan in my trilogy). Also, this was one of the few sunny days I enjoyed on my adventurous trip to Scotland!

Last week’s snippet is here. Now week 3…

Brazenly, he traced a finger over the embellished stone necklace she wore around her slender neck, its length dropping above her décolletage. The crinkle extended from her brows to the middle of her forehead, forming a wee crease in a sea of pale softness. What had he said wrong?

He laid one hand softly on the small of her back, drew himself closer. He kissed the deepening crease. He preferred her smile to her frown. He brushed feather lips upon her skin. A spark jolted him, but he absorbed it. He inhaled her scent, retreated slowly, and then moved a drawing finger from necklace to cheek.

“Domhnall, I don’t think…” She didn’t finish the sentence and, instead, held his gaze, then closed her eyes while he stroked her cheek.

He stopped, as difficult as it was. “Let’s find you stones, shall we?”

She opened her eyes and nodded. “Yes, please.”

He removed his boots and rolled his hose. Lacking modesty, she did the same, removing her work shoes and allowing clean toes to venture into the loch’s cool water. They spent the better part of an hour picking through rocks and pebbles and pond plants on the shore, locating unique pebbles. Domhnall shared stories of his youth, of trips with his father, and his explorations north and south. Rosalie chatted about her own travels, her passion for rocks, crafts, and numbers. He loved listening to her animated voice.

“Do you like visiting new places?”

She shrugged. “It’s all I know.”

“You don’t wish to settle?”

“One day.”

Stay Tuned….

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Goodreads ~ Kobo ~ Google