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.

Friday, December 21, 2018

The Wren, the Wren, the King of all Birds


It’s that time of year again. I so love the Christmas season. One of my favorite things is the Christmas music. We have a large collection that we start listening to the day after Thanksgiving.

Again this year, while listening to The Chieftains’ The Bells of Dublin and the Wren in the Furze song, I wondered aloud how the wren became the king of all birds. My husband jumped on it and did an internet search. He found a site, The Little Brown Wren, which explains via folklore. It seems the world of birds decided they wanted to have a king same as the humans. But how should they choose who among them should be king. They decided to hold a contest…whichever bird could fly the highest would be the king of the birds. On the day the contest was held, the eagle climbed ever higher into the sky. After the other birds gave up and fell to the ground, he smugly began his decent, believing he was the king of the birds. But above him, a wee wren fluttered her wings and sang a beautiful song. Having hidden within his feathers, she’d ridden into the sky on his back and became king through cleverness.

There is more to the story. Check it out at The Little Brown Wren.

There is a tradition in Ireland to ‘hunt the wren’ on the feast of Saint Stephen, which is celebrated on December 26th. On Wren Day, the wee bird is secured to a decorated staff and paraded through the village with music and dancing and much celebration. Fortunately, in our modern times a fake bird is used.

I’ll think of this tale every time I watch the wren in our backyard flutter from the shrubs near the house to the suet feeder. Or when it sings its beautiful song mid-winter.


The Chieftains, The Bells of Dublin (1991)
Wren in the Furze

The wren, oh the wren; he’s the king of all birds,
On St. Stephen’s Day he got caught in the furze,
So it’s up with the kettle and it’s down with the pan,
Won’t you give us a penny for to bury the wren?

Well it’s Christmas time; that’s why we’re here,
Please be good enough to give us an ear,
For we’ll sing and we’ll dance if youse give us a chance,
And we won’t be comin’ back for another whole year!

We’ll play Kerry polkas; they’re real hot stuff,
We’ll play the Mason’s Apron and the Pinch of Snuff,
Jon Maroney’s jig and the Donegal reel,
Music made to put a spring in your heel!

If there’s a drink in the house, would it make itself known,
Before I sing a song called “The Banks of the Lowne”,
A drink with lubri-mication in it,
For me poor dry throat and I’ll sing like a linnet!

Oh please give us something for the little bird’s wake,
A big lump of pudding or some Christmas cake,
A fist full o’ goose and a hot cup o’ tay (Tea),
And then we’ll all be goin’ on our way!

The wren, oh the wren; he’s the king of all birds,
On St. Stephen’s Day he got caught in the furze,
So it’s up with the kettle and it’s down with the pan,
Won’t you give us a penny for to bury the wren?


Furse is another term for gorse; a yellow-flowered shrub of the pea family, the leaves of which are modified to form spines.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

~Dawn Marie

*images from Pixabay
**blog post originally shared at Supernatural Superlatives

Friday, October 26, 2018

Facebook Halloween Party Invitation - October 30th 5:30 to 8:00 pm EDT

Join the Party

Do you enjoy Facebook parties? I'm joining several author friends for a Facebook Halloween party on Tuesday October 30th from 5:30 to 8:00 pm EDT. There will be games and prizes and tons of fun. Please join us!

 

Join the Party

 
 
 
 
 
~Dawn Marie

Thursday, September 27, 2018

A LOVE THAT’S FOREVER Historical Romance Giveaway

https://bookwrapt.com/love-thats-forever-giveaway/
 
 

A LOVE THAT’S FOREVER

Historical Romance Giveaway
September 27 – October 17

Kindle Fire 7 • Ebook Prize Packs • Amazon Gift Cards

 

Nothing is more romantic than a love that survives or spans the sweep of time, a love that’s forever. Join thirty authors of historical and time travel romance as they celebrate these genres. Will you take home a Kindle or a pack of your favorite ebooks from Amazon? Enter now! You might be one of 7 lucky winners!




Plus, stop by and shop the awesome sale on Medieval, Regency, Victorian, Western, and time travel romances. There is even a bonus giveaway for a stunning porcelain teapot!


https://bookwrapt.com/love-thats-forever-book-fair/
 
 


 
 
(Sponsored by the 30 authors listed below)

Alexa Aston • Amanda Roberts • Angelique Armae • Annie Boone • Aubrey Wynne • Cheri Champagne • Cherie Mitchell • Christine Sterling • Dawn Marie Hamilton • Deborah M. Hathaway • Emilee Harris • Ginny Sterling • Heidi Kimball • Jennae Vale • Joanna Barker • Johanna Evelyn • Jen Geigle Johnson • Joyce Alec • K A Servian • Karen Michelle Nutt • Kari Trumbo • Kate Cambridge • Kristy Tate • Laura A. Barnes • Marie Higgins • Marlow Kelly • Natalie Dean • Rose Pearson • Sally Britton • Victoria Saccenti • Aileen Harkwood
 
 
~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Birthday #Snippet #HEA - Just Wait For Me by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Just Wait For Me at Amazon



“So, Keita. I thought we would celebrate your birthday after you’re completely healed,” Jillian said, wanting the child to have something special to look forward to while recovering from her surgery.

“We are changelings,” Duff said. “No one kens when we were born.”

“You are not changelings,” Stephen said. “You are our bairns as is Malcolm.”

 
 
~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Birth #Snippet #HEA - Just Wait For Me by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Just Wait For Me at Amazon


Disappoint him? "Nae, sweetling. Childbearing is risky. I lost my mother to the fever. And then my wee brother also passed. I would understand completely if you are unwilling to go through birthing a bairn."
 
 
~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Rise #Snippet - Just Wait For Me by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Just Wait For Me at Amazon


She taunted, hoping to get a rise from him. She’d be waiting ’til the world and all its realms no longer existed.

He remained behind an impassive facade.

Oonagh scrutinized him through narrowed eyes then grasped a crystal pawn from the ebony and ivory chessboard. “What brings you to the palace, Dugaid? You have not bothered to visit your mother in many a decade, preferring to cavort with those of the earth realm. Perhaps you are more of their ilk than fae.”
 
~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Sing #Snippet - Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon



She took a deep breath and sang, accompanying herself on the lute.

Her voice was that of an angel.

Finn found himself caught in the web she wove with her words, her song a soulful love ballad. Unable to shift his gaze from her, he more than likely smiled like an idiot.

When she finished several enchanting songs, she attempted to coax Archibald to sing along with her. He refused, but Jamie volunteered and together they sang a merrier ditty about four drunken warriors and one sassy wench.

~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Fast #Snippet - Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon



In his anxious state, Munn couldn’t conjure an invisibility glamour. He used the speed spell instead and darted faster than a human eye could see, tripped Elspeth in passing then dashed through the castle gate before Donald reached the couple. He giggled with glee. There was more than one way to bring Elspeth and Finn together. If he must keep tripping one or the other to force them into each other’s arms, so be it. He peeked around the edge of the wall.

They kissed. He howled in delight.


~Dawn Marie

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Christmas in July Sale: Just in Time for a Highland Christmas


 
Just in Time for a Highland Christmas A Highland Gardens Novella
The 3rd tale in the series.

e-book:
$0.99 through July 31st
(regular price: 2.99)


Can a determined brownie craft a perfect match in time for Christmas?

When the Chief of Clan MacLachlan travels to the stronghold of his feuding neighbors to fetch his betrothed, she is gone. A year later, she is still missing. Making life more vexing, a band of reivers are stealing clan cattle, leaving behind destruction. Archibald MacLachlan determines to capture them and administer harsh punishment.

Though once in love with the man, Isobell Lamont refuses to wed her clan's enemy. After running away, she joins the band of reivers set on revenge.

Can Archibald forgive the raven-haired beauty? Will a journey through time bring them together for a Highland Christmas?
.

Snatch your copy today...


Kindle : Nook : Apple : Kobo



~Dawn Marie

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Multi-author Giveaway: Scottish, Medieval, and Old World Romance

https://booksweeps.com/book-giveaway/medieval-scottish-old-world-romance-july-2018/

 

7/11 Note: Giveaway has been extended and will end on
July 16th.


Here is another great giveaway from BookSweeps. I've teamed up with 20+ fantastic authors to give away a collection of medieval, Scottish, and old world romances to two lucky winners. PLUS a brand new eReader to the Grand Prize winner!

You can win my novel Just Wait For Me from the Highland Gardens series, plus books from authors like Margaret Mallory, Emma Prince, and Amy Jarecki.



Good luck!

~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Heat #Snippet - Just Beyond the Garden Gate by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Just Beyond the Garden Gate


Patrick closed his eyes and growled deep in his throat as desire pooled in his groin. Their kiss, potent and deep, an intoxicating aphrodisiac, became more and more heated. At first, he’d been shocked by the arc of power, but he couldn’t stop himself from claiming what he sensed belonged to him. What started as an unconscious display of dominance became a much more meaningful symbol of possession.

His forceful kiss demanded surrender.


~Dawn Marie

Friday, June 1, 2018

Sizzling Summer Reads Party: Play Games, Earn Points, Win Prizes

https://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php




I'm excited to be part of this fabulous giveaway party hosted by The Romance Reviews. Over 100 participating authors and prizes galore.

My novel Just Wait For Me from the Highland Gardens series will be featured in the hangman game on June 9th, and I'll be gifting a Kindle edition of the book to the winner of the game. Sounds like fun. Right?

To participate in the games and giveaways you'll need to register and be logged in at TRR so your game points can be tracked. Registration is free and easy.

Hope to see you there!
 

Click on the link below to join the party.

Good luck!


 


~Dawn Marie


Tuesday, May 22, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Crazy #Snippet - Just Beyond the Garden Gate by Dawn Marie Hamilton




Laurie rubbed the furrow lining her forehead and slumped into the sofa cushions. Gah, she must be going crazy. She poured herself another glass of wine and took several quick sips.

Was she hallucinating?

Even with the poor lighting, she found the man fabulously attractive. Scrumptious. He could have walked out of the steamiest romance novel. Intense, dark eyes—if only it had been light enough to see the color—set in a face only the Celtic gods could have molded. The sexy cleft in his chin made her mouth go instantly dry. The mere thought of him left her breathless and achy with need.

Had she really reached out to a stranger? How stupid. What if he was a nutcase?

She flicked her gaze to the dark windows then the locked front door. The house was secure.

A psycho? She hoped not. The man seemed familiar. She felt as though she'd met him before. Though where could that have been?

 
 
~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Snippet - Just Beyond the Garden Gate by Dawn Marie Hamilton




The only explanation for the insanity was Munn. He was a menace.

Spiraling into another fine rage, she leapt from the chair and marched to the door. She tugged, never expecting to find it unlocked, but this time, the door opened. Hurrying along the passageway, she passed two guardsmen deep in discussion. Although they glanced up and nodded when she passed, they didn’t bother to block her way. Confident no one else would attempt to stop her, she quickly made her way down the circular stair, across the courtyard, and through the castle gate. She ran along the path to the garden, blind to everything save her destination.

She found Elspeth sitting in the midst of the frost-dead plants with Alexander.

“Where is that miserable brownie?” Laurie asked. “How do you call a brownie to you?”

Elspeth and Alexander, as one, flipped wide eyes up from the book they read.

“You dinnae,” Elspeth said after a moment. “They appear only when they wish.”

Laurie glared at the horizon, raised her arm and made a fist. “Damn you, little man. I’ll find a way to keep Patrick close to my heart. You’ll not force us apart.”

Queasiness once again rumbled in Laurie’s stomach. Her vision blurred. She clutched her belly and swayed. Was this magic too? Had Munn put a hex on her?

“Laurie!” Elspeth jumped to her feet “What is it? What has befallen you?”

Laurie didn’t have the breath to answer. She stumbled over the gravel path and threw out an arm, reaching for the wall, but it was too far away and she was too weak. She slid to the ground and lost consciousness.

 
 
~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Snippet - Just Beyond the Garden Gate by Dawn Marie Hamilton




Laid out in a geometric grid, the castle garden provided a well at the center for irrigation. Heavy wooden planks held the soil in beds, most containing medicinal and culinary herbs and vegetables edged by lavender and white violets. Strawberry plants filled one bed and a large section dedicated to roses lay to the side. Though not yet in bloom, the roses’ shiny new leaves glistened in the sunlight. At the center of the rose garden grew a bench of living plants.

“’Tis a turf bench of chamomile. ’Twill flower soon,” Elspeth said with pride.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. Must be beautiful when in bloom.” Laurie followed Elspeth as they meandered through the garden.

“Most of the seedlings are collected from local fields and woods then planted here. Other plants are brought to me by friends and travelers who visit the castle.”

“What you’ve created here is amazing.”

“Thank you. My love for the garden came from my mother.” Elspeth’s voice saddened. “We spent hours together tending the plants. Since she is gone, I nurture the garden in her memory.”

“What happened to your mother?”

“My father and mother are missing—presumed dead by many—they disappeared three years ago while traveling across our land. After that, Patrick became chief of our clan.”
 
 
~Dawn Marie


Monday, April 30, 2018

Multi-author Giveaway includes Just Wait For Me by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Enter Giveaway
 

I’m excited to share I've teamed up with 25 fantastic authors to give away a collection of fantasy & time travel romances to 2 lucky winners, PLUS a brand new eReader to the Grand Prize winner!

Oh, and I need to mention you'll receive a collection of FREE ebooks just for entering? Cool! Right?

You can win my novel Just Wait For Me from the Highland Gardens series, plus books from authors like Jessi Gage and Livia Quinn.

Enter the giveaway by clicking here: ENTER GIVEAWAY!

Good luck!

~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

#TimeTravelTues #Snippet - Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon by Dawn Marie Hamilton


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EP5EWP0

 
 
A bright light burst behind his eyelids.

He fell. The sensation of weightlessness overcame him. Changing colors swirled around in slow motion, flashing and dulling erratically. His mind separated from his physical body. He watched, as if from another realm.

Falling downward, down…down…down, into a black expanse of nothingness. All color faded from existence. His mind merged with the dark. Blackness surrounded him, enveloping him, frightening him. He thought to scream, but the sound choked on the lump in his throat.

The speed of his descent increased.

Colors erupted. Lights flashed.

“What the—”

He sped toward a narrow opening, and once there was sucked through into a dull gray sky. Still, he fell.

Water flowed below him—a rushing river.

His body took on weight, becoming heavier as he dropped. He slammed hard against the water and plunged into the cold, murky depths.
 
 
~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

May Day Historical Romance Giveaway

I'm excited to participate in this awesome giveaway hosted by the authors of Romancing Yesteryear. Over fifty books and a Kindle Fire to the winner. Just Wait For Me from the Highland Gardens series is included in the Grand Prize package.

Click on the image below and join the Facebook party, and then click on the learn more button on the pinned post to be taken to Rafflecopter for entry...

Good Luck!







~Dawn Marie

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Dawn Marie Hamilton's Newsletter Signup is Open



My first newsletter will go out around February 21st. Be among the first to receive news of book releases, subscriber only contests, and special offers, including exclusive short, short stories. Don't miss a single issue. Subscribe today!


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~Dawn Marie

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Twelvetide by Dawn Marie Hamilton: Free at Amazon January 10th - 14th 2018



Happy New Year!!
 
Twelvetide: Twelve Nights of Highland Magic
 
Free at Amazon Jan 10th - Jan 14th 2018
 
Get your copy here.



Fulfilling a childhood promise, Ashley Dumont returns to an ancient Druid garden in the Black Hills of Scotland on the eve of the winter solstice—a time when magic hums and the veil between realms thins and tears, allowing all manner of supernatural creatures through. Will the ghost who claimed to be her destiny still be there?

Caelan Innes awaits her arrival. Unjustly murdered in the sixteenth century, a second chance at life depends on this woman. The Druids grant them the twelve nights of Yule to find love and save Cael’s soul. Will a trip through time and the treachery of enemies make the sacrifice too dear?

Enjoy!

 ~Dawn Marie