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.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday - '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!

Finn must prove his worth to the Highlanders with a trial of vigor...

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


Finn warded off the first cut with the flat of his blade. Counterattacking, his feet firmly planted, he used his hips to bring power to his blow. The large two-handed sword was heavy. He heard Iain’s instructions in his head. Bring the fight to an end swiftly, lad, before you become overly fatigued and are injured, or accidentally wound your opponent.”

Archibald grunted. The clang of steel rang in Finn’s ears. Sun reflecting off polished metal nearly blinded him. Ignoring the distraction, he reached within to pull forth his inner-warrior.

Lightning flashed. Rolling thunder reverberated in his ears.

Each clash of his sword sent vibrations shooting up his arms, thrumming inside his chest, racing down his spine, spreading through his nervous system. Instead of weakening him, the pulsating energy made him more powerful.

With every stroke, he wielded his sword with renewed strength, his senses enhanced. He moved from one blow to the next, his blade in constant motion.

A blur of silver fabric startled him, but he deflected the next strike with finesse.


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

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

What's blooming in the Garden? - Fall Flowers and Fall Events



I just love this time of the year. The weather is perfect. Perfect for lovely fall flowers.
These lavender chrysanthemums grace our front entrance.


 
 
Who doesn't love the smiley face of a pansy?
 
 
 
 
Soft pink sedum attract small butterflies that make me smile, as does the events I'm attending later in the season.
 
 
 

 October and November bring some special events...

 
 
 
 
 
As a Halloween treat, I'm participating in the Haunted Open House Giveaway Blog Hop hosted by paranormal author Nancy Gideon from October 23-30. Be sure to stop by for my giveaway during the hop.
 
 

 
 
 
During the month of November, I'll be attending The Romance Reviews Year End Splash Party. Visit often to play cool games and have fun. Grand Prize: $100 Gift Card. Hope to see you there!
 
 
~Dawn Marie
 
 

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday - '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!

Finn must prove his worth to the Highlanders with a trial of vigor...

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

 

Muscles straining, Finn raised his sword, the tip pointed toward Archibald’s eyes. An odd tingling sensation raced along his outstretched arms, coalescing around his heart. Nerves. A bad time for a panic attack.

Swallowing hard, he held his stance.

Archibald attacked.

Finn warded off the first cut with the flat of his blade. Counterattacking, his feet firmly planted, he used his hips to bring power to his blow. The large two-handed sword was heavy. He heard Iain’s instructions in his head. Bring the fight to an end swiftly, lad, before you become overly fatigued and are injured, or accidentally wound your opponent.”

Archibald grunted. The clang of steel rang in Finn’s ears. Sun reflecting off polished metal nearly blinded him. Ignoring the distraction, he reached within to pull forth his inner-warrior.

Lightning flashed. Rolling thunder reverberated in his ears.



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

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Tour Stop: Romance Junkies

I'm a guest at the Romance Junkies blog today. My topic is gemstones and their role in the Highland Gardens series. I'm gifting an e-copy of Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon to a lucky commenter. Stop by and share your favorite gemstone.

Visit the Romance Junkies blog by clicking here.

~Dawn Marie

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday - 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!

Finn's reaction to meeting Elspeth in the flesh...

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


Finn caught the scowl of the plump older woman.
 
Disappointment surged through him and he frowned. He hadn’t meant to chase the girl away. It was just that…this was all a bit unnerving. He’d been more than surprised when he woke to see her there, staring at him as if she wanted to…taste him.
 
Now that was an intriguing thought. One he’d certainly enjoy experiencing.
 
She was the petite woman from his dreams. Of that, he was certain. She looked younger, but possessed the same desirable curves. Her strawberry-blond hair, pulled back in a long braid, was the same lustrous silk he remembered from his dreams. And her eyes, those mesmerizing silver eyes, definitely belonged to the angel of his memories.
 
The thrill he’d felt when he touched her still coursed through him, a tremor sizzling along his spine. He tugged at the fabric of his kilt to hide his arousal.
 
The older woman, whom the girl called Aine, slammed the tray down on the chest next to the bed. She gave him a disapproving look. “What did you do to frighten the lass so?”

 
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

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Tour Stop: Faeries, Dragons, and Spaceships

I'm hanging with Marie Andreas over at Faeries, Dragons, and Spaceships and talking about the Tuatha Dé Danann and Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon. I'm also sharing an exclusive excerpt and gifting and e-copy of Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon to a lucky commenter. Stop by.

Visit Faeries, Dragons and Spaceships by clicking here.

~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Visiting with Regency author Susana Ellis in Susana's Morning Room

Tour Stop: Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon



My interview by Susana Ellis is posted at Susana's Morning Room. I'm visiting and gifting a copy of Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon to a lucky commenter. Stop by and hang with us.

 
Visit Susana's Morning Room now by clicking here.


~Dawn Marie

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday - '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 continued...

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

 
 
She jerked her gaze to the man’s face.

The stranger quickly released her. “Where am I?” he demanded.

Unable to catch her breath, she raised a hand to her chest to calm her racing heart. His eyes were a lovely shade of hazel.

Disturbed to realize he glared at her, she knit her brow.

“You are a guest at Castle Lachlan,” Aine MacTamhais said as she entered the chamber.

The stranger’s tense muscles relaxed upon hearing that wee bit of news.





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

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Visiting with historical romance author Anna Markland

Today, I'm talking about pointy weapons at Anna Markland's blog and gifting a copy of 'Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon' to a lucky commenter. Stop by and visit with us.

Visit Anna's blog now by clicking here
 
 
 
~Dawn Marie

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Sneak Peek Sunday - '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

 

She stared at the stranger who lay motionless on the mattress and studied the contours of his face. Handsome with a firm, square jaw. The tips of her breasts tingled from the naughty images prancing through her mind while she gazed upon his lush lips.

Moistening hers, she could hardly wait for his eyes to open so she’d discover their color. She reached her hand out and touched his hair. Now dry, the soft strands slipped through her fingers. The warm honey color contrasted nicely with his sun-bronzed skin.

She liked the look of him.

There were other things she liked about him as well. Things she’d seen earlier while examining him for injuries. He had a hard, muscular body. That a man who appeared to possess so much strength could be free of scars amazed her. For shame. Admiring his body surely was wrong. She was to wed Alexander.

An uneasy chill swept down her spine, and she shivered.

But she couldn’t stop her wayward gaze from straying to the stranger’s hands. Strong hands. She released a small cry when one of those hands wrapped tightly around her wrist.


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