Sneak Peek Sunday / #SnippetSunday - November 10

Welcome to this weeks version of Sneak Peek Sunday. Seems my usual gang has disbanded, so I've joined the Facebook group Snippet Sunday. Verra excited about joining the new group. Be sure to hop on by and discover their stories. The link will be at the bottom of the post.

Going forward, snippets will range from six to ten sentences. This week's is from Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon.
 
From chapter sixteen...
 

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

“Are you really going to marry the jerk?”

“Jerk?”

“Alexander.”

“I must.” Elspeth refused to look at Finn directly. Her hands—she tried to hide them—trembled.

“Why won’t you tell me what happened last night?”

Elspeth’s sad gaze flicked to him briefly before she lowered her head. “Nothing happened you need to ken.”

 

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

Folklore Friday - The Legend of the Vanishing Wedding Feast

Old Castle Lachlan, Strathlachlan, Scotland

Old Castle Lachlan might look like a ruin today, but step with me through a mist of fantasy and visit a bustling castle where an angry brùnaidh resides.

The MacLachlan, seeing his territories surrounded by Campbells, has decided to wed a Campbell lass. Ignoring the rants of the MacLachlan clan brownie, the chief of clan MacLaclan has gone to great expense and decorated his castle on Loch Fyne for the event.

Here is my version of the tale...

The Legend of the Vanishing Wedding Feast
by Dawn Marie Hamilton

"Ouch." Had someone pinched her?

The somber friar raised his gaze from his prayer book. "Is anything wrong, m'lady?"

Heat flashed across Mairi's chest and neck. She glanced at the man standing at her side, the one she met a mere few hours ago.

Iain glared at the shingle at her feet. He probably believed the stones poked through her thin bridal slippers and caused the outburst. Though the shingle made the proceedings uncomfortable, that wasn't what made her screech. Something sharp jabbed her hip, but no one stood near enough to inflict such abuse.

"All is well." She smiled at Father Ambrose. "Please, continue."

Mairi's gaze drifted over the faces of those who'd gathered to witness the uniting of two clans in peace. Bah. Her marriage to the Chief of Clan MacLachlan would change nothing. Her grandfather's quest for more land proved insatiable.

Where was Caitrina? Mairi couldn't find her amidst the crowd. Had the faerie forsaken her? Never. Caitrina must have hidden within a glamour of invisibility.

The friar's voice droned on. Mairi fixed her stare on the water, the ceremony taking place on the shore of Loch Fyne. The MacLachlan chapel within the castle tower was unable to accommodate the throngs of Campbells who'd come to witness the spectacle of her ruin.

She risked a sideways glance at Iain. His features remained inscrutable.

He'd dressed for the occasion in a crisp saffron leine and colorful plaide of red and blue. Two warrior braids hung to one side of his strong jaw and his chestnut hair glistened in the sunlight. When he leveled his stare on her, his sapphire eyes sparkled.

A shiver shimmied along her spine, and she couldn't suppress the prick of fear tangled with excitement for the bedding to come. How would she survive? A large man, he'd rip her asunder.

She moistened her lips. His eyes flared before he looked away.

"Join hands." Father Ambrose grasped her right hand and presented it to Iain who clasped her fingers with his left.

She gasped. A tingle spread gooseflesh up her arm. Iain's lips quirked into the first smile she'd seen from him since she'd arrived at Castle Lachlan.

The friar cleared his throat. "Is there any among the gathered with reason this couple should not wed?"

Mairi flinched when something pricked her arse. She looked over her shoulder, but no one was there. She raised her gaze to Iain.

His eyes sobered with concern and he fingered the ornamental dagger handle protruding from a sheath at his waist with his free hand.

"I pronounce thee man and wife."

Grumbling rose from the crowd, and Iain's expression turned fierce. No one dared step forward to denounce the union on fear of retribution.


With his palm cradling her back, Iain guided his new wife through the gathering of clansmen loitering within his council chamber toward the dais and head table. Silky strands of strawberry blond hair caressed his fingers. The scent of lavender teased his senses. She seemed a wee, fragile lass, but after gazing into her silver eyes, he sensed her backbone. She'd need it to endure the challenging times ahead.

"He is a fool to wed a Campbell." The whisper came from amidst the crowd.

He felt Mairi flinch through the fabric of her silver gown, and he clamped his jaw tight. They could say what they wanted. He'd set his course. Marriage was the only way to ensure peace and prosperity.

Iain seated his wife to his right. He supposed he should say something to soothe her, but he wasn't adept with sweet words.

"Ignore the barbs. I am pleased with you, wife."

"And I with you, husband." Her eyes spoke volumes to the contrary, though her notion of duty would change when he convinced her to…

He couldn't hope for love, but would settle for trust.

"Quiet," he bellowed at the noisy crowd and inclined his head to the friar.

As Father Ambrose rose to say grace, the feast vanished from the tables in a fine, gray mist. Surprised and angry voices echoed through the chamber.

Iain slammed a fist on the table. Munn. The damn brùnaidh caused this havoc.

"Ach, my apologies. I shall ensure the situation remedied," Iain stammered as he clasped Mairi's hand and stood. "Please, come with me, my dear. We will see to the feast for our guests."

Wide eyes searched his face, but she rose without question and followed him to the vaults along with several servants. All was quiet. They found no trace of Munn or the stolen victuals.

Dropping Mairi's hand, Iain raised a tight fist. "Where are you wee man? Where is my wedding feast? Show yourself or I will banish you to the darkest, coldest, cruelest corner of the Highlands."

Silence. Then a faint jingle of silver spoons tingled in the damp air.

Iain sighed. His ranting got them nowhere.

"Munn, return the feast. Dinnae disgrace the MacLachlan name or your own by forcing me to serve our Campbell guests naught but scraps."

"Ach, aye. The Campbells will enjoy the fine catch from our braw rivers and the bounty of our woods. 'Twill naught be long until the Campbells steal our fair lands as well," Munn muttered.

"Please." Mairi stepped forward and sweetly implored.

Part of the feast was thrust into the hands of startled servants, the rest landed upon tables that appeared along with the food.

With a nod from Iain, the servants rushed to serve the dishes to the guests.

When he caught Mari's gaze, he expected to glimpse horror. Instead, she laughed. "I see we both have wielders of magic. And I think your Munn may have pinched me during the ceremony."

"What?"

"I have forgiven him. And I will explain about Caitrina after the feast."

Iain didn't care who Caitrina was. He wanted to kiss his persuasive wife. And that was what he did. When she melted into him, his heart leapt with joy.

~

The End

This story ends happily for Mairi and Iain, though Munn held hatred for the Campbells deep within his soul for generations. The Legend of the Vanishing Wedding Feast will be the basis for a prequel to the Highland Gardens series.

To learn more about the brùnaidh—the Scottish brownie click here.

~Dawn Marie

 

Coming to Print Soon - 'Just Beyond the Garden Gate'





Just Beyond the Garden Gate
Proof for Print Edition
 



 

I've been masquerading as a cover artist—recently received the proof for the print edition of Just Beyond the Garden Gate. The cover needs a few tweaks. Should be available mid-November.

 

 



 

 

 

~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 recently 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!

Continuing from two weeks ago—Finn is accepted into the fold...

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

Archibald handed his sword to Duncan and grabbed Finn’s forearm, honoring him with a warrior’s embrace. Finn returned the arm grasp with a strong grip. Their gazes locked. They came to a wordless accord.

When they broke apart, a young lad handed them both mugs filled to the brim, foam sloshing over the edge. They slammed their cups together and drank deeply.

“Well done! We will talk later.” Archibald turned away and graciously accepted ribbing from his men.

Wiping the froth from his mouth with the back of his forearm, Finn noticed Elspeth standing beside her brother. He caught her gaze and smiled. She blushed and looked away.

Was for the best. He didn’t dare mark time with her.

Within the mass of warriors, Finn received slaps on the back, the MacLachlan men showing their approval. Some maybe more grudgingly than others, but still, he’d never expected to be accepted, at least not so soon.

 

~Dawn Marie

Join Me at theTRR Year End Splash Party

Join me at The Romance Reviews' Year End Splash party.

 

Play games. Win prizes!

 

Over 400 participating authors and publishers. Over 400 prizes.
Grand Prize $100 Gift Card.

 

November 1 - 30
Play everyday for more chances to win!

 

 

~Dawn Marie

Happy Halloween

Thank you to everyone who visited during the Haunted Open House Giveaway Blog Hop!

Congrats to Holly Letson! Watch your email for a $10 Starbucks e-gift certificate.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

~Dawn Marie

Sneak Peek Sunday - 'Sea Panther'

Click here
to hop over to my post for the
Haunted Open House Giveaway Blog Hop.

 




Now, for the regularly scheduled post: Sneak Peek Sunday

Welcome to this week's Sneak Peek. In celebration of Halloween, here is an excerpt from the  manuscript for my paranormal novel, Sea Panther (2013 Golden Heart® finalist). Hope you enjoy this wee snippet!

Willy, the stalker, meets Robert's sister in the woods...

Sea Panther
 A Crimson Storm Novel

 

 

 

The woman's eyes changed color. Turned a frightening blood red.

Too late, Willy spotted her fangs. 

Vampire. 

He tried to pull away, but couldn't budge. 

She licked her lips, again, and leaned in close. 

He struggled, but couldn't move his limbs.

 

 

 

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