Welcome to my home on the web. You may have noted the mountains in the banner are the misty Blue Ridge of North Carolina. Did you know time traveling Highlanders live there? Read about them in the Highland Gardens series. Curious about the big cat? Florida panther~from the Crimson Storm paranormal novel, Sea Panther.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Excerpt Wednesday - Stalked - Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon by Dawn Marie Hamilton




This week's except is from the second novel in the Highland Gardens time travel series. Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon. Finn is traveling from Manhattan to the Highland Games in North Carolina ...
 
 

Humid July air slammed into Finn as he rushed from the steel and glass high-rise of his family’s prestigious business consulting firm. The fine linen shirt he wore instantly stuck to his chest. He tugged at the fabric and surveyed the heavy afternoon traffic. The shrill horn from a passing vehicle blared, starting a frenzy of honking.

Finn released a heavy sigh and loosened his silk tie. If he didn’t find a cab right away, he’d be late for his flight.

He flicked his gaze at the empty curbside stand then hurried along Madison Avenue in search of a taxi. Sudden tingling on the back of his neck alerted him someone followed. A glance over his shoulder confirmed his suspicion.

Damn. To be stalked by beautiful women would be most men’s fantasy dream, but it was his worst nightmare and all too real. The debutante following him was only the most recent in a barrage of overzealous females set on making his life hell.

He clutched his shoulder bag filled with his reenactment gear and quickened his pace. He didn’t have the time or the inclination to deal with the woman’s intrigues.

Finn had a games to attend. Damn good thing he’d sent his claymore on ahead.

In an effort to lose her, he sprinted for several blocks, weaving in and out of hordes of pedestrians, and ducked into a side street. He jumped into the first cab he came across. “LaGuardia, and make it quick.”

When he looked back, a second cabby pulled in behind them, the darned woman was the passenger. His gut burned with dread. He told her he wouldn’t marry her. Why did she persist in pursuing him?

 
   
 


 

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

Amazon : Barnes&Noble : Apple

 

 



Hope you enjoyed this wee snippet from Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon, a Highland Gardens Novel.

 
~Dawn Marie

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Excerpt Wednesday - Time for a Raid - Just Beyond the Garden Gate by Dawn Marie Hamilton


This week's except is from the novel that started the series. Just Beyond the Garden Gate, the first tale in the Highland Gardens series...
 
 


Patrick drummed tense fingers on the table, ignoring most of the discussion going on around him. His insides boiled. How dare Lamont take out the argument over the disputed marriage proposal on the MacLachlan clan?

He glanced at the men sitting at the two long tables stretched out in front of him and the others standing around the chamber. This was his family, and he’d failed them. His fervent denial of a marriage contract between himself and Iain Lamont’s daughter Isobell brought them to the precipice of this hostile confrontation. Yet a feud with the Lamonts had existed for generations. The recent raid was only the most current act of treachery.

His gaze drifted to the ceiling, his thoughts on the chamber above. The chamber his precious Laurie slept in, his bedchamber, the one where Ruari now lay unconscious.

Patrick took full responsibility for what happened to his herdsmen. If only he’d agreed to Iain Lamont’s demands—married Isobell—Ruari wouldn’t be lying in the bedchamber above, insensible from a bang on the head. And the others wouldn’t be dead.

Lamont had prodded him ever since Patrick lost his father. This time the man pushed too far. Patrick would have to retaliate. It was an issue of honor. This latest infringement couldn’t be left unpunished. It was a matter of his clan’s survival.

Was he wrong? Should he break his oath, marry Isobell, and hope in doing so, he’d end the feud? It wasn’t that Isobel was undesirable. She’d make someone a good wife. She possessed a fine dowry and was comely. But he felt nothing when she was near. Certainly not the burning fire he experienced with Laurie. Isobell had no warmth. She was like cold stone. He’d never even had the desire to steal a kiss.

Archibald thought him daft. Repeatedly, he reminded Patrick of her value. After all, she was the co-heir of Iain Lamont. Now, that was the problem. How could he be expected to marry her? He believed her father responsible for his parent’s disappearance.

And possible death? No, he wouldn’t consider the possibility.

When he learned his parents had gone missing while chased by Lamont clansmen, he swore from that day forward Iain Lamont was his enemy. He vowed never to agree to a marriage between the two clans.

He raked his fingers through his hair. What of Laurie? What was he to do about his lass from the future?

Stephen poked his arm, interrupting his contemplation. “The full moon is two days next. ’Tis the best time to raid.”

“Aye. A good time for a raid,” Jamie agreed, a brutal grin spreading across his face.

“’Tis not the time to raid.” Donald pinned Patrick with his gaze. “Marry Isobell. End the dispute.”

Patrick glared at his uncle. “I will agree to marry the lass on the day my father stands afore me and requests it of me.”

An anxious hush fell across the chamber.

“You cannae yet believe your father alive. If he were, he would be here with us now.”

“For all I ken, he and my sweet stepmother suffer in Lamont’s pit,” Patrick said, his tone sharp.

Across the chamber, Aine’s husband Angus stood, slamming his palms flat on the table. All gazes shot to him. “Leave off, Donald. ’Tis time we seek revenge for the insults wrought by the Lamonts. I say we raid.”

Most of the men roared in agreement, raising fists and shouting. Donald glowered. His gaze circled the chamber from man to man. “Decided, is it? You will rue this day.”

 
   
 

 

Just Beyond the Garden Gate

Amazon : Barnes&Noble : Apple

 

 



Hope you enjoyed this wee snippet from Just Beyond the Garden Gate, a Highland Gardens Novel.

 
~Dawn Marie

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Excerpt Wednesday - Pursued - Twelvetide by Dawn Marie Hamilton


An excerpt from the winter novella, Twelvetide, Twelve Nights of Highland Magic. Free for Kindle - January 12th, 2017 through January 16th, 2017 at Amazon...
 
 


...they crossed a great snowy meadow. Before reaching the protection of the forest, they caught the first glimpse of their pursuers. Five mounted men, approaching fast.

“Shite.” Cael spurred the horse to greater speed.

They entered the forest trail and galloped out of sight. She kept glancing back, around Cael’s bulk. As they rounded a bend, he leaned forward, his mouth close to her ear.

“They want me. Not you. When I drop you to the ground, run for that distant copse of firs and hide. I will lead them away.” Cael’s brusque words sliced her heart. He would forfeit himself for her.

“No. We should stay together.”

“Listen to me, Ashley. Hide in the trees. Wait for some time to pass. If I have not returned, follow this trail west. The same direction we are riding. Stay out of sight at the edge of the trail. When you reach Castle Lachlan, beg hospitality in my name—Caelan Innes. Once within the castle walls, ask to speak to the steward and request of him an audience with Lachlan Og, the clan chief. Tell Lachlan Og you are my wife. Tell him we were ambushed, and I led the miscreants north. I have been of service to him. He will see to your care.”

Before she’d a chance to argue with the damn man, he lifted her with his one strong arm, and dropped her into a ditch at the side of the trail. Breathless, gasping, she rolled to her knees and gulped air. Fear gnawed at her belly. The thunder of several horses pounding the trail, sent her into action. She leapt to her feet and darted into the trees Cael had indicated.

She crouched behind a wide trunk. Just in time. Placing a palm against the rough bark, she leaned to the side and peeked through the thick, evergreen foliage. Four riders passed in earnest pursuit of Cael somehow without seeing her footprints in the snow.

Shit! Where was the fifth? Birds had stopped chirping when she entered the copse. Silence grated on tense nerves. Twigs snapped nearby. The billowing breath of a horse sounded overly loud, close. Another twig cracked.

“I ken you are in there. Come out.”

   
 




Grab your copy from Amazon.

 

Free for Kindle 1/12/17 - 1/16/17 

 


Hope you enjoyed this wee excerpt from Twelvetide, Twelve Nights of Highland Magic.

 
~Dawn Marie  

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Excerpt Wednesday (Sneak Peek) - The Pixie Clan - Just Within a Highland Mist by Dawn Marie Hamilton

 
 
A sneak peek ( an unedited excerpt) into 'Just Within a Highland Mist', a novella, the next tale in the Highland Gardens series...
 
 

Suddenly a hart wandered from the brush twenty-five yards upwind of Gregor’s spot. The animal hesitated for a moment, mobile ears listening, sensitive nostrils testing odors in the air, then lowered his head and nibbled the tip of a leafy branch. Not just any hart, but a sixteen-point white stag—a mystical beast. Could the animal be real? Gregor closed his eyes; rubbed them. When he looked again, the animal was still there, browsing.
 
Breath quickened; excitement fired his blood.
 
He slowly, very quietly, raised his bow and nocked the arrow, praying he wouldn’t spook the deer. The stag raised his head, ears perked. Eyes on the mark, Gregor drew the arrow steadily back until his right forefinger touched the spot on his jaw perpendicular to his right eye. He glanced along the length of the shaft, his aim perfect.
 
A lavender-winged dragonfly landed on the spine of the arrow just behind the hand that held the grip. One with iridescent green wings landed forward of the handgrip. A third buzzed his ear.
 
Lips curving into an annoyed frown, Gregor held the bow and arrow with one hand and shooed the bugs away with a wave of the other. His luck held. The deer continued to feed. As he prepared a second time for a clear shot, one of the bugs returned and perched on the arrow again. Stuck its tongue out at him. He jutted his head forward to better inspect the—
 
The bothersome creature stood on wee feet. Nae. Couldn’t be. She had wee feet, wee arms and hands, and a curvaceous body draped in an iridescent purple fabric the same color that outlined her lavender diaphanous wings. She raised a dainty hand and tucked an ebony tress behind a pointed ear and smiled at him with rosy lips.
 
“What trickery is this?” he demanded.
 
Tee teehee hee, the pixie tinkled like delicate chimes.
 
The stag skittered, leapt over a thicket, and dashed into a copse of trees.

   
 

 

Coming Winter 2017

 

 

 


Hope you enjoyed this wee sneak peek into 'Just Within a Highland Mist', a Highland Gardens Novella.

 
~Dawn Marie