Visiting Vintage Vonnie with the Inspiration for 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon'

I'm visiting with author Vonnie Davis at her blog, Vintage Vonnie, talking about the inspiration for Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon. Another e-copy is up for grabs.

Visit Vintage Vonnie by clicking here.

 

 

~Dawn Marie

Tour Stop: Across the Plain of Shining Books

Today, I'm visiting author Pat McDermott's blog, Across the Plain of Shining Books. I'm gifting a copy of Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon to a lucky commenter.

Visit Pat's blog now by clicking here.

 

 

~Dawn Marie

Beware. 'Tis faerie magic in the wood.

 

Author Anne Lange interviewed Finn (the hero from Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon) and me. The fun post is up at her blog. I'm gifting a Kindle edition copy of Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon to a lucky commenter. Stop by for a visit.

Visit Anne's blog now by clicking here.

~Dawn Marie

'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon' - Virtual Book Tour Dates

Join me as I visit authors and book bloggers with wee tidbits about Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon, the second novel in the Highland Gardens series.

**Giveaways along the route.**



08/27/13 Anne Lange's Blog - Character Interview with Finn
08/28/13 Across the Plain of Shining Books - Guest Post
08/29/13 Vintage Vonnie - Guest Post
09/04/13 Anna Markland's Blog - Guest Post
09/10/13 Susana's Morning Room - Interview
09/11/13 Faeries, Dragons and Spaceships - Guest Post
09/17/13 Romance Junkies - Guest Post






~Dawn Marie

Sneak Peek: 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon'

Welcome to this week's Sneak Peek. Here's another excerpt from the newly released Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon, the second novel in the Highland Gardens series--Scottish historical time travel romance with faeries. Hope you enjoy this wee snippet!

Elspeth finds a stranger...

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon
A Highland Gardens Novel
Bk #2

  

 

“Please, a moment longer. There is a spot along the burn where I always find the plants I need.”
 

She walked her chestnut palfrey to the edge of the stream and dismounted. As she knelt to look for herbs, she reached in front of her and pushed aside some brush.

Peering around a bush, she screamed.

In a flash, Jamie stood beside her with his sword drawn.

She gaped at the man lying there, facedown, the lower half of his body submerged in water. Sunlight glinted off the large milky gem imbedded in the hilt of the sword lying next to the man.

Elspeth gasped, her chest tightening. She leaned closer. “Who is he?”

 

For more Sneak Peek fun, check out the other participating authors by clicking the link below.

Click here

to join in the fun

and hop along

with Sneak Peek Sunday.

~Dawn Marie

Release Day: 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon'

 

Woohoo! Today is Release Day!

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon
A Highlands Garden Novel
Bk #2



Available for Kindle
Buy Now



What happens when a twenty-first century business executive is expected to fulfill a prophecy given at the birth of a sixteenth-century seer? Of course, he must raise his sword in her defense.
Believing women only want him for his wealth, Finn MacIntyre doesn't trust any woman to love him. When, during Scottish Highland games, faerie magic sends him back in time to avenge the brutal abduction of his time-traveling cousin, he learns he's the subject of a fae prophecy.

Elspeth MacLachlan, the beloved clan seer, is betrothed to a man she dislikes and dreams of the man prophesized at her birth, only to find him in the most unexpected place—facedown in the mud.

With the help of fae allies, they must overcome the treachery set to destroy them to claim a love that transcends time.


Journey from the lush gardens of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the Scottish Highlands of 1511 with Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon.


~Dawn Marie

Look What's Bearing Fruit?

Tomorrow is Release Day for JUST ONCE IN A VERRA BLUE MOON, the second book in the Highland Gardens series! Today, I’m visiting Cynthia Woolf’s blog and gifting an e-copy of the novel to a lucky commenter. Stop by if you have a moment.

 

An Interview with Dawn Marie Hamilton

 

So…what’s bearing fruit in the garden? Chicago Hardy Figs

The first fig of the first year.

~Dawn Marie

Sneak Peek Sunday - 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon'

Welcome to this week's Sneak Peek. Here's another excerpt from the soon to be released 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon', the second novel in the Highland Gardens series--Scottish historical time travel romance with faeries. Hope you enjoy this wee snippet!

Let's meet our heroine, Elspeth...

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon
A Highland Gardens Novel
Bk #2 

 

 

Fir-wood, Strathlachlan, 1511

“He dare not assault me.” Elspeth MacLachlan leaned forward in her saddle and eyed the trail. She didn’t want to end the search for the precious herbs she sought.

 

“Lass, this place is not safe.” The redheaded Jamie MacEwen wasn’t of the same mind.

He should be accustomed to her strange ways by now, having been her guard for many years. She often came to this magical place, to Fir-wood, to the knoll near the deserted hut. The old folk warned that faeries inhabited the spot, and she had reason to believe the tales to be true. Her parents vanished there years before.

Elspeth held the impossible dream close to her heart of them one day reappearing.

Jamie scratched the back of his neck while he glanced around. “I never should have ridden out alone with you. Maclay was seen here not but a sennight ago. And you ken how dangerous he is. He nearly raped and killed your brother’s lady-wife. You saw the Lady Laurie yourself after Archie rescued her from Maclay’s lair.”

Elspeth cringed at the reminder. She’d terrible memories of that day. Of her brother Archibald carrying Laurie’s bruised and bloodied body into the hall, and the pained bellow of her other brother Patrick when he saw his ladylove. Even so, the memory wouldn’t deter her. She needed to find the medicinal herbs for Aine, who unselfishly looked after the comfort of those living in the castle. Elspeth promised. Besides, Laurie’s abduction happened more than a year ago. Patrick and Laurie had since wed and moved…somewhere.

 

BTW:  The Summer of Love Blog Hop is going on until midnight Eastern time Sunday, August 18. I'm gifting one e-copy of Just Beyond the Garden Gate to one commenter who leaves a comment describing their favorite summertime memory.



For more Sneak Peek fun, check out the other participating authors by clicking the link below.

Click here

to join in the fun

and hop along

with Sneak Peek Sunday.

~Dawn Marie

Summer of Love Blog Hop

***UPDATE Monday, August 19***

Thank you to everyone who visited my blog during the Summer of Love blog hop!

• Laurie is the lucky commenter who will receive a gift e-copy of Just Beyond the Garden Gate.

From August 12 through 18, I’m participating in the Summer of Love Blog Hop and gifting one e-copy of Just Beyond the Garden Gate to one commenter who leaves a comment describing their favorite summertime memory. If you wish to join in the fun, include your email so I can contact you if your name is drawn from the straw hat. Feeling shy? Email me at Dawn at DawnMarieHamilton dot com instead.




 

I’m a Leo. Summertime has always been special for me. What better time to fall in love? Oh, the summer nights! Visiting the boardwalk at the Jersey shore or the local firefighters’ carnival. Holding hands with a special guy while walking the beach at the lake, watching fireflies—lightning bugs as we called them—in the trees.

 

 

 

 

One such memory inspired a scene for Just Beyond the Garden Gate...

She stared in awe. The faerie knoll was a mysterious place. Hundreds of small dazzling white lights flickered around them. The sparkling lights hovered near the ground and up high, in the grass atop the knoll and in the nearby tree branches. The scene reminded her of her childhood, of watching lightning bugs, little glowing fireflies dancing in the night. She thought the sight amazing, and beautiful.

“This place is known as the Sithichean Sluaigh. Legend has it the knoll is a habitat for faeries. I have heard the old folk say beams of brightly colored light are seen here on starless nights,” Patrick said with a dancing twinkle in his eyes.

 

What is your favorite summertime memory? Leave a comment below for a chance to receive an e-gift copy of Just Beyond the Garden Gate. Please remember to leave an email addy.

Then click Here for a complete list of participating blogs.

~Dawn Marie


 

Sneak Peek Sunday - 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon'

Welcome to this week's Sneak Peek. I thought I'd share from the soon to be released 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon', the second novel in the Highland Gardens series--Scottish historical time travel romance with faeries. Hope you enjoy this wee snippet!

Let's meet our hero, Finn...

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon
A Highland Gardens Novel 

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.

For more Sneak Peek fun, check out the other participating authors by clicking the link below.

Click here

to join in the fun

and hop along

with Sneak Peek Sunday.

~Dawn Marie

Cover Reveal - 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon'

**Coming Soon**

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

A Highland Gardens Novel - Book #2

What happens when a twenty-first century business executive is expected to fulfill a prophecy given at the birth of a sixteenth-century seer? Of course, he must raise his sword in her defense.

Believing women only want him for his wealth, Finn MacIntyre doesn't trust any woman to love him. When, during Scottish Highland games, faerie magic sends him back in time to avenge the brutal abduction of his time-traveling cousin, he learns he's the subject of a fae prophecy.

Elspeth MacLachlan, the beloved clan seer, is betrothed to a man she dislikes and dreams of the man prophesized at her birth, only to find him in the most unexpected place—facedown in the mud.

With the help of fae allies, they must overcome the treachery set to destroy them to claim a love that transcends time.

 

~Dawn Marie

Sneak Peek Sunday - 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon'

Welcome to this week's Sneak Peek. I thought I'd share the last six paragraphs at the end of the prologue from the soon to be released 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon', the second novel in the Highland Gardens series--Scottish historical time travel romance with faeries.

For more Sneak Peek fun, check out the other participating authors by clicking the link below.

Hope you enjoy this wee snippet!

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon
A Highland Gardens Novel

 

“My stubborn man is off to meet with the Campbell to secure a contract for the babe to wed one of his grandsons.”

She didn’t want such an arrangement for her bairn. She begged Iain that when the time came for the child to wed, he allow the lass to choose a husband of her own. Mairi wanted wee Elspeth to find love in the marriage bed, as she herself had.

“Be at peace.” The old woman reached down to move the swaddling away from the babe’s face, distracting Mairi from her glum thoughts. The faerie ran a finger along the bairn’s tender cheek. A pleasant smile transformed her as she gazed upon the perfect features of the precious lass. She glanced at Mairi and in a raspy voice said, “Just once in a verra blue moon love will…” The faerie’s brow puckered. “Oh, dear.” She tapped a finger against her wrinkled chin. “I simply cannot remember what I am to say.”

“Ah, yes.” Her face beamed. “When three, seven-year cycles of the moon wane…” The wise one placed her hand on the wee babe’s forehead and gazed into the infant’s eyes. “A strange warrior from an unknown far-off place will come wielding the mighty lost sword of the fae to save you from despair, dear one. Just once in a verra blue moon love will triumph.”

As silently and swiftly as she arrived, the faerie woman disappeared. The only evidence remaining from her visit was the sweet, otherworldly fragrance clinging to the air.

Mairi caressed her daughter’s smooth cheek, and the child cooed. “Well, my wee Elspeth, your da will not be pleased to learn the fae guide your future.”

Click here

to join in the fun

and hop along

with Sneak Peek Sunday.

~Dawn Marie

Folklore Friday - Finvarra and Oonagh

Finvarra and Oonagh, High King and Queen of the Sidhe

 

"The king of the Sidhe will not let you go,
if you follow the music that round you flows...
...and enter the mound of the fairies."

—Coyote Run

 

Although I write Scottish inspired fantasy and paranormal romance, sometimes I borrow from Irish folklore, justified by the amount of migration and cultural interchange between Scotland and Ireland. 

The word for the fae in Scottish Gaelic is Sithichean, in Irish Gaelic, Sidhe. 

As legends are told, once upon a time the Tuatha De Danann resided in Ireland. These kings and queens and heroes of the past were thought to derive from pre-Christian deities. A magical race known as the Milesians defeated the Tuatha De Danann and drove them out of Ireland. Though some of the Tuatha stayed, and taking up residence in hollows beneath hillocks became known as the Daoine Sidhe. 

Finvarra is the High King of the Daoine Sidhe. Some also believe him the King of the Dead.

He is known as a benevolent monarch, ensuring plentiful harvests, horses of great strength, and riches to those he favors. Finvarra's fighting skills are legendary and he is a master at chess. 

I recognize him as the womanizer of his race. He is notorious for his lust of mortal females, which he often kidnaps and whisks away to his subterranean palace. Which is so wrong. His queen, Oonagh, is beautiful beyond measure. 

Oonagh is a secondary character in the Highland Gardens series. Centuries after banishing a halfling faerie princess—fearing the lass would attract Finvarra's attention—a fae prince convinces Oonagh to challenge the princess into making three unlikely matches. If the princess succeeds in joining the three couples, the queen will permit her, once again, to frolic in Tir-na-nog, land of 'hearts desire'.

 

~Dawn Marie