Celebrate the 5oth Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing with a Sale on the Fantasy Romance ‘Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon’

Wow! July 20th, 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Where did the time go?

The Lunar Module Eagle landed on the moon’s surface at 4:17 p.m. EDT with, if I can believe what I read, less than thirty seconds of fuel remaining. The moon walk took place six hours later.

"…one small step for (a) man,

 one giant leap for mankind."

-Neil Armstrong

I was at girl scout camp in Pennsylvania at the time. We hiked up the hill from the tent sites to the activity center where the counselors had set up a television and we watched the events unfold. ‘Twas exciting. When I returned home from camp, I learned my dad had named our new beagle puppy ‘Moon Shot Duke’. The thought still makes me smile.

I’ve held a special place in my heart for the ‘moon’ ever since.

What are your memories from when Apollo 11 landed on the moon’s surface?

Continue reading for an excerpt from Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon. And then, please share in the comments your memories from the Apollo 11 moon landing. If you were too young or not born at the time, share your thoughts on what you know of the event.

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon…

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Blue Ridge Mountains, near the Village of Anderson Creek

Finn inhaled deeply. His lungs filled with fresh mountain air. For the first time in months, he was free of fawning women. Free of the awkward position they put him in.

Patrick’s sword sliced past his face, drawing him from his thoughts. Rain streamed over his bare chest, mixing with sweat. He needed to pay attention. If he weren’t more careful, he’d do a face-plant in the mud.

“You fight like a lass, MacIntyre,” Patrick taunted.

“Hilt is slippery.” Finn cursed under his breath and sought a better grip.

“You must learn to fight under every circumstance. That includes rain. Could save your miserable life someday.”

Grunting, Finn barely ducked the next assault.

Patrick pulled back. “Enough!” He dropped the point of his claymore to the ground and scowled. “’Tis obvious you are not paying attention.”

Trying to catch his breath, Finn gulped air. He glared at his cousin-in-law. “This is supposed to be just for fun.”

“Ach, then. You must try harder to have fun, lad.” Humor lit Patrick’s blue eyes, and he unloosed the leather strip holding back his long chestnut hair. Patrick MacLachlan was a primitive man; to him a workout with the large two-handed sword was child’s play. “At times I forget we live in a modern world.”

Finn shook his head. “You are my fiercest opponent.”

Patrick laughed and placed a hand on Finn’s wet shoulder. “Come. The bairns are at the inn for Rory’s Thursday morning story time. Let us go and warm ourselves by the fire and listen to the old Highlander tell his tales.”

Finn yanked on a soaked t-shirt and followed Patrick across the wet lawn.

About twenty-five eagerly waiting children sat on the plush carpet in the parlor of the Whispering Pines Inn while gossiping moms relaxed on overstuffed floral sofas. A few dads stood nearby, appearing disinterested. Finn knew better. Everyone loved hearing Rory’s stories.

The crackling fire brought much-needed warmth to the dreary mountain morning. Finn joined Patrick at the hearth, hoping his clothes would dry.

Conversation ended when Rory MacNaughton entered from the rear door, his carved walking stick at his side. The elderly gentleman wore dress slacks, a brown tweed jacket with leather patches at the elbows, and a tam covering his white hair. He greeted individuals as he crossed the room and eased onto the tall stool at the center of the parlor. With an age-spotted hand, he motioned for his audience to move closer.

Alert eyes sparkling, Rory glanced at Finn and grinned. One of the men standing nearby snickered. Finn groaned, sure he knew the yarn the storyteller would regale them with.

Taking a deep breath, Rory began…

“The Sithichean, the faeries of the ancient Highlands, had a special affinity for moonstones. Enamored by the pale, lustrous, blue color resembling that of moonlight, they found the best of these unique stones on the shores of their sensuous faerie paradise Tir-nan-Óg—land o’ heart’s desire—having washed ashore on the tides when the sun god and moon maiden were in a particular heavenly harmony.”

Rory leaned forward. “Ye ken this miraculous occurrence happens only once in three, seven-year cycles of the moon…”

He held up an index finger. “Just once in a verra blue moon,” he whispered.

A hush fell across the parlor.

“Handfuls of these precious stones belonged to a beautiful flame-haired faerie with eyes the color and brightness of the most costly emeralds.”

“Caitrina?” a precocious little girl, with red curls and freckles sprinkled across her nose, whispered. Her blond-haired friend giggled, and Rory smiled at the pair.

“She bestowed upon the moonstones magical powers, gifting them to deserving mortals. Some of these charmed stones had the ability to reunite lost lovers. Others gave the bearer the gift of second sight. One especially large gemstone she forged into the hilt of a magnificent Highland claymore, and with a kiss enchanted it with extraordinary power.”

His eyes wide, a boy in front pointed at Finn.

Finn glanced down. He must be a sight, his soaked shirt clinging to his chest and his wet kilt slung low on his hips. He’d grown his hair long and now the knotty, wet strands hung around his shoulders in disarray. Beside him, his sheathed sword leaned against the stone of the fireplace, the large moonstone in its cross-section plain to see.

Rory chuckled, locking gazes with him. With tight lips, Finn shook his head no. He didn’t want the kids to think his sword was the one of which Rory spoke.

“Over the ages, the sword brought many a worthy warrior fame and fortune. That was until the day an evil, dark power used it.” Rory’s voice rose and his pace quickened. “This could not be borne. With green eyes shooting flames of fire, the one who fashioned the splendid weapon cast it far away to vanish in the Sands of Time.”

The storyteller lowered his voice an octave and slowed his speech. “There are those who believe the lost sword of the fae has been found.”

Finn refused to listen to more of the man’s fantasy. He signaled to Patrick he was leaving.

Patrick followed him into the foyer. “Why the rush, lad?”

“My claymore doesn’t have supernatural powers. It’s just an antique sword.”

“Ach, well. Dinnae take offense. Rory means nae insult. He merely wishes for the bairns to believe in a wee bit of magic. Nae harm in that.”

Hope you have a magical day!

~Dawn Marie

Supernatural Birds

After singing its heart out, a wren joins the cardinals, titmice, and chickadees at the feeders. Juncos (also known as snowbirds) swoop in from the mountains and mingle with sparrows and doves foraging within the garden beds. Herons wade in the creek.

Birds--symbols of power and freedom--have often been featured in the mythology and folklore of many countries. From prominent figures in creation stories to messengers of the deities to mediators between humans and the supernatural world, birds represent, strength, love, and wisdom.

Perhaps that is why so many of us enjoy watching birds. Birds have uncanny smarts. If you're lucky, you can observe supernatural bird behaviors in your backyard.

Many birds build elaborate nests without ever getting lessons. They just know how to do it through instinct.

Some birds are born knowing how to navigate by instinct. Hummingbirds hatch during the summer in North America then fly solo a thousand miles or more to their wintering habitat in the tropics, without the guidance of a parent or a flock. In the spring, a hummingbird may return to the place where it began its journey, using its amazing memory. Perhaps you might see one in your backyard hovering around the spot where your sugar feeder previously hung, even though you haven't put the feeder out as of yet. I've seen this occur in my backyard. When I do, I rush to get the cleaned feeder hung. I want to keep the hummers coming to my backyard.


.

Members of the crow family--jays, ravens, magpies, etc.--have incredible memories. They excel at hiding things and then finding them

Green herons dine on small fish. They've been seen dropping pieces of bread or other bait to lure fish to the surface. Amazing. Right?








I enjoy writing birds into my romance stories...

 

From Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon, Book 2 in the Highland Gardens series:

She marched across the ridge, her hair blowing in the wind. A loud, rapid kek kek kek kek kek sounded before the whish of wings and the large bird landed on her outstretched arm.

“Trystan, you’ve returned to our mountain. I’m glad to see you, my friend.”

The peregrine falcon murmured close to Caitrina’s ear.

“Ah, you want to feel the sun on your face again. Aye, I imagine the northern tundra was verra cold.”

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.

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, and Kobo.

~Dawn Marie


*blog post originally shared at Supernatural Superlatives

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

Excerpt Wednesday - The Sword Fight - 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 has a sword fight...

 

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Alexander leapt from the stoop and swirled around into a fighting stance, his claymore extended, pointing toward Finn’s eyes. Their gazes locked. Held. Tension escalated.

Finn ran through his mind the hand and foot positions he’d practiced. Mastered. Move by move.

His right hand under the cross guard, his left just above the pommel, he stepped forward with his lead foot into the on-guard position, holding the cross guard at head level and the blade pointing diagonally upward. As they circled, he dropped the blade to a forward position to ward Alexander’s first cut with the flat of his blade. The impacting vibration sizzled over Finn’s bulging arm muscles, and he twisted his wrists to counterstrike.

The crowd surged as Finn and Alexander fought around small obstacles and avoided a loaded cart.

The dance flowed. Finn’s feet slid over the stone paving in patterned moves. He leapt, swinging his hips, giving power to each strike. The cling and clang of steel against steel reverberated in the small courtyard with chops and cuts and wards. Rolling from one blow to another, the zone possessed Finn, thrilled him, until his arms and legs grew weak.

Too late, he realized Alexander’s tactic. The man held back, pretending ineptitude, allowing Finn to tire, and then swooped in on the offensive. An excessively aggressive cut whistled along the edge of Finn’s sword. He lost his balance and stumbled.

The next cut came from the side. Finn rolled his hips back to avoid getting sliced across the belly. A near miss. He barely warded the next blow.

The crowd roared.

Finn would die. Damn. He hadn’t meant for things to end this way.

Alexander’s next chop arced from above. Finn bounded out of the way, laboring to breathe. The force of the downward momentum imbedded the blade into the wooden frame of a water trough. Alexander struggled to free the sword, his chest heaving, giving Finn time to gulp air, catch his breath.

A flash of light on metal distracted him and he reluctantly flicked his gaze away from his opponent, fearing someone else joined the fray. What the hell? Caitrina stood to the side, at the front of gaping warriors, holding Finn’s claymore, its embedded moonstone glowing. She grinned and tossed the sword.

The blade spiraled in slow motion, end over end, through the air.

He jerked his gaze back to Alexander. The man stared at the whirling sword with lust.

Finn read the man’s intent, dropped the borrowed sword he held and lunged for his claymore. Before either he or Alexander grabbed hold, a most beautiful blond woman appeared out of thin air and snatched the spinning sword out of their reach.

She glared at Caitrina. “The mortals must finish without magic.”

 

   

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Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

Amazon : Barnes&Noble : Apple

 

 

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

 

~Dawn Marie

Excerpt Wednesday - Gathering of the Clans - 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 attends the gathering of the clans...

 

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Entering the meadow from the wooded camping area, Finn stopped for a moment to take in the view. The spectacle of colorful clan tents impressed, but the sight of Grandfather’s summit as a backdrop to the festival grounds was humbling indeed. The bronze light of the setting sun played across the old man’s features. Nature at her awe-inspiring best.

Finn crossed the running track and found Laurie and Patrick, their baby daughter, and their two, wild toddlers. The twins, Scott and Young Iain, ran around the picnic blanket, playing warrior with wooden swords. They were cute boys, and Finn enjoyed hanging with them. Someday he hoped to have a couple kids of his own.

Geez. He needed to forget his problems and find out what had Laurie so tense when she picked him up at the airport. He feared bad memories had surfaced, and she had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Now wasn’t the right time to ask questions though. Tomorrow he’d sit her down and find out what was going on in her head.

He saw red every time he thought of what was done to her. He unclenched his fists and inhaled a deep, calming breath.

By the time he ate and settled on the blanket, it was almost dark. The torchlight ceremony would soon begin. When Laurie managed to get the boys quieted down, Scott came over and climbed onto Finn’s lap.

“Having fun?”

“Em hmm.” The boy leaned back, and his small body relaxed.

Finn tousled the imp’s blond curls, inhaling the lad’s rough and tumble little-boy scent. Stubby fingers gripped his shirt, and his heart squeezed. He glanced at Laurie holding her daughter, leaning against Patrick, Young Iain curled on his father’s lap. This was what Finn craved, a harmonious family life—here in these mountains.

If only the woman from my dreams was real. He sighed heavily and pushed that impossible wish out of his mind.

Darkness fell and the ceremony began. A deep voice came across the loud speaker, explaining the historic significance of the torch ceremony.

“The saltire cross of Saint Andrew is recognized as Scotland’s ancient symbol. Tonight, we call the clans to rendezvous as our ancestors were once summoned to battle.”

The speaker fell silent…

His voice thundered. “Raise the Clans.”

Chills played along Finn’s spine, as one by one, the resonant voice called the names. “Anderson… Armstrong… Baird… Barcley… Bell… Bruce…” As he called each clan’s name, a representing member crossed the field, carrying a lit torch to add to the fiery cross of flames in the center of the field.

“MacIntyre.”

Finn leapt to his feet, hugging the excited Scott to his chest. Laurie and Patrick joined them along with Young Iain. They all screamed as loud as they could, jumping up and down. They did the same again, a few minutes later, when the call was for Clan MacLachlan.

“Life or Death!” Patrick yelled the MacLachlan battle cry, his fist extended in the air.

After they sat, Scott climbed off Finn’s lap to go to his mother. Finn distinctly felt the loss, a barren place in the center of his chest. He rubbed his palm over the spot. He’d better get himself in-gear and find a woman who could love him. Undoubtedly, the task would be difficult.

The curse he choked on came from deep within the aching void near his heart. He wanted to have children and be young enough to enjoy rough housing with his boys. At thirty-six, he was past the age when he should have started a family, and he wasn’t getting any younger.

He swallowed, targeting his attention on the clan emissaries walking across the field and the rich baritone coming from the loudspeakers.

“Stewart… Sutherland… Turnbull… Wallace… Young.”

“The clans have come once again to celebrate who they are,” the speaker called out when the last torch was set.

The torches burned brightly. The haunting sounds of pipes filled the air.

Finn experienced a sense of belonging he never imagined. A feeling of rightness.

The abundance of twinkling stars overhead added to the magic.

Patrick broke the spell when he nudged Finn while attempting to gather up the twins and their belongings.

“I’ll help you carry this stuff to your car.” Finn bent and picked up the picnic basket.

As they walked along the path toward the parking lot, Laurie grabbed his arm. The beam from his flashlight bobbed crazily across the ground. “I hope you didn’t forget my garden party is tonight at eleven,” she said.

He nodded with a grunt.

“I expect you to be there on time and to still be in costume. And for heaven sakes, please be nice to Jillian.”

Finn groaned, and Patrick snorted.

 

   

∞∞∞

 

 

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

Excerpt Wednesday - Sword Practice - 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 practices swordplay with Patrick...

 

∞∞∞

 

Blue Ridge Mountains, near the Village of Anderson Creek

 

Finn inhaled deeply. His lungs filled with fresh mountain air. For the first time in months, he was free of fawning women. Free of the awkward position they put him in.

Patrick’s sword sliced past his face, drawing him from his thoughts. Rain streamed over his bare chest, mixing with sweat. He needed to pay attention. If he weren’t more careful, he’d do a face-plant in the mud.

“You fight like a lass, MacIntyre,” Patrick taunted.

“Hilt is slippery.” Finn cursed under his breath and sought a better grip.

“You must learn to fight under every circumstance. That includes rain. Could save your miserable life someday.”

Grunting, Finn barely ducked the next assault.

Patrick pulled back. “Enough!” He dropped the point of his claymore to the ground and scowled. “’Tis obvious you are not paying attention.”

Trying to catch his breath, Finn gulped air. He glared at his cousin-in-law. “This is supposed to be just for fun.”

“Ach, then. You must try harder to have fun, lad.” Humor lit Patrick’s blue eyes, and he unloosed the leather strip holding back his long chestnut hair. Patrick MacLachlan was a primitive man; to him a workout with the large two-handed sword was child’s play. “At times I forget we live in a modern world.”

Finn shook his head. “You are my fiercest opponent.”

 

   

∞∞∞

 

 

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

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 ...

 

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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

March Featured Guest at April Holthaus's blog: A Romantic Twist

I'm the March Featured Guest at April Holthaus's blog: A Romantic Twist. And Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon is the March Featured Book. Stop by, read the interview, and leave a comment for a chance to win one of my e-books.

Interview With Author Dawn Marie Hamilton

~Dawn Marie

Sneak Peek Sunday #SPeekSunday: Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

I was asked this week if Caitrina and Douglas will have a book. Oh, yes. But there will be a couple of more books in the series before they can have their happily-ever-after. So here is a Caitrina and Doughlas excerpt from Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon...



E-book:
Amazon,  Amazon UK,
Kobo, Smashwords, Apple,
and Barnes&Noble.

Trade Paperback:
Amazon, BAM, and
Barnes&Noble.

Planning to go to the field to see the hunky contestants toss the caber, Caitrina slid off the huge rock on which she’d been sitting. At the edge of her vision, Douglas MacKinnon walked through the Celtic Grove where her favorite band just finished performing.

She stopped and stood motionless.

At six foot seven, the man was hard to miss. What was he up to? Why wasn’t he at his store where he belonged, doing whatever work human shopkeepers were supposed to do?

Caitrina cloaked herself with the glamour of invisibility.

Such an annoyance. She’d only meant to come forward in time for a moment. Get what she needed and return to the past and Castle Lachlan. But the tribal beats of the entertainers’ drums lured her to the grove and kept her longer in the twenty-first century than she’d intended.

Douglas was another distraction she could ill afford.



Thanks for stopping by!


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

Sneak Peek Sunday #SPeekSunday: Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

Caitrina is the banished, halfling faerie princess from the Highland Gardens series so, just for fun, today's Sneak Peek is another Caitrina excerpt from Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon...



E-book:
Amazon,  Amazon UK,
Kobo, Smashwords, Apple,
and Barnes&Noble.

Trade Paperback:
Amazon, BAM, and
Barnes&Noble.

Caitrina appeared in the largest of the caverns in the maze of caves and tunnels northwest of Castle Carrick. Her nose twitched. The stench of sulfur lingered in the air, though Seumus wasn’t present. The wizard had deserted his lair.

She’d missed the opportunity to battle with the squirrelly old man.

Scanning the chamber, she found the table in the center contained the remnants of his attempts to unlock the power of Finn’s claymore. Her claymore.

Drip. Drip. Drip. The echo from the constant drip of water scraped over Caitrina’s nerves. She picked up the jar closest to her and hurled it. Glass shattered against rough stone, splintering, flying in every direction. Thick orange goo oozed along the walls.

That felt good. She stretched her back and picked up a small crock, and threw it across the chamber. Every container on the table met the same fate. When she finished, Caitrina glared at the debris, causing sparks to erupt. As she dissolved into a fine mist, consuming flames spread across the chamber, devouring everything in their path.

Traveling through the void of space, Caitrina sent out her senses to probe for the whereabouts of the wizard and the claymore.



Thanks for stopping by!


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

Sneak Peek Sunday #SPeekSunday: Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

If you are here for the Highlander Giveaway Hop, click here, but I hope you will check out the Sneak Peek post below and visit the other sneak peek authors too. Thanks for visiting!

Now, for today's Sneak Peek, another Caitrina excerpt from Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon...



E-book:
Amazon,  Amazon UK,
Kobo, Smashwords, Apple,
and Barnes&Noble.

Trade Paperback:
Amazon, BAM, and
Barnes&Noble.

Caitrina stood amongst the rose-colored foxgloves, alone in the shadows near the garden’s rear gate. She smiled when Finn evaded Jillian’s clumsy attempt to attract his attention. As he disappeared into the house, Caitrina turned away to gaze at the silvery haze surrounding the full moon. The time neared, and she’d work to do.

She would set the match into action before the High Queen of the Fae learned the game had begun. Caitrina could almost taste victory. This round and one more—she’d earn her freedom and be returned to the royal realm.

She inhaled a deep breath and uncurled her fists.

From her peripheral vision, she glimpsed Douglas MacKinnon watching her. Didn’t he understand he no longer aroused her curiosity?

She pressed her palm against her chest. She must have ingested a stimulant with an unusual property capable of causing a faerie heart to beat too fast.

Douglas raised a dark eyebrow in question.



Thanks for stopping by!


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

Highlander #Giveaway Hop

If you are here for the Fall into Romance blog hop, click here , but I hope you'll check out the Highlander Giveaway Hop too.

As many of you know, I love Scotland and Scottish things. I enjoy reading and writing Scottish inspired tales. And if there is a paranormal or fantasy element included, all the better. So, for the Highlander Giveaway Hop, I'm featuring the first two books in the Highland Gardens series.

The Scottish Highlands—a place where faeries and brownies and other fae creatures dance through time. On occasion, so do mere mortals.

Just Beyond the Garden Gate - Book 1

 E-book:
Amazon, Amazon UK,
KOBO, Smashwords, Apple,
and Barnes&Noble.

Trade paperback:
Amazon, BAM
and Barnes&Noble.

Determined to regain her royal status, a banished faerie princess accepts a challenge from the High-Queen of the Fae to unite an unlikely couple while the clan brownie attempts to thwart her.

Passion ignites when a faerie-shove propels burned-out business consultant Laurie Bernard through the garden gate, back through time, and into the embrace of Patrick MacLachlan. The arrogant clan chief doesn’t know what to make of the lass in his arms, especially when he recognizes the brooch she wears as the one his stepmother wore when she and his father disappeared.

With the fae interfering at every opportunity, the couple must learn to trust one another while they battle an enemy clan, expose a traitor within their midst and discover the true fate of the missing parents. Can they learn the most important truth—love transcends time?

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon - Book 2

E-book:
Amazon,  Amazon UK,
Kobo, Smashwords, Apple,
and Barnes&Noble.

Trade Paperback:
Amazon, BAM, and
Barnes&Noble.

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.

Highland Gardens Giveaway

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Sneak Peek Sunday #SPeekSunday: Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

The other day, a reader asked if there were any characters from previous books demanding their story. Well, yeah! Caitrina, the halfling faerie princess from the Highland Gardens series. She will get her story, but I have a few others in the works first. So I thought for Sneak Peek Sunday, I'd share a Caitrina excerpt.

From Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon...



E-book:
Amazon,  Amazon UK,
Kobo, Smashwords, Apple,
and Barnes&Noble.

Trade Paperback:
Amazon, BAM, and
Barnes&Noble.

“Easy, lass.” Douglas grabbed her by the upper arms. “I wouldn’t want you to fall off this ridge.”

“Take your hands off of me, you Neanderthal.”

He pulled her against his thick chest. Fates, he felt good. “What were you doing with the queen?” he demanded.

She gasped. How could he possibly know of Oonagh?

Caitrina leaned her head back and stared into his amber eyes, searching for truth. “Who are you?”

“Someone to watch over you.” He lowered his head and kissed her hard on the lips, curling her toes.




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~Dawn Marie

Goodreads Book Giveaway: Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

First time in print!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Giveaway ends July 12, 2014.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

~Dawn Marie

Valentine Special on the Highland Gardens Romance Novels

In celebration of the Month of Love, Highland Gardens
(e-books) Book 1 and Book 2 are 20% off at most e-book retailers for a limited time. Why not hug a Highlander for Valentine's month?

~Dawn Marie Hamilton

Sneak Peek Sunday / #SnippetSunday - November 24

Welcome to this weeks version of Sneak Peek Sunday / Snippet Sunday.  We'll pick up where we left off last week. Finn is frustrated with Elspeth's plan to wed Alexander...

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

Her marriage to Alexander. Finn didn’t have the right to ask her not to go through with the wedding. He had nothing to offer as an alternative. He stalked to within a foot of her. Their gazes locked in unspoken communication. A mixture of emotions flashed between them. Mostly, if only.

“How can you do this thing?” he asked.

 

 
For more Snippet Sunday fun--click here to check out the other participating authors.
 
Enjoy!
 
~Dawn Marie

Sneak Peek Sunday / #SnippetSunday - November 17

Welcome to this weeks version of Sneak Peek Sunday / Snippet Sunday.  We'll pick up where we left off last week. Finn is frustrated with Elspeth's plan to wed Alexander...

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

Something unpleasant occurred to put dark shadows in her eyes. Of that, he was certain. “Why won’t you talk to me?”

Elspeth twisted to the side and glanced at him from beneath her lashes. “Is that not what I have been doing?”

“No, you haven’t. You’ve been skirting whatever upset you.” Finn’s hands curled into fists at his sides. Why wouldn’t she confide in him?

 

 
For more Snippet Sunday fun--click here to check out the other participating authors.
 
Enjoy!
 
~Dawn Marie