Help me in welcoming Christy Gissendaner to Castles & Kisses!

Unmasking the Wolf
Christy Gissendaner

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Taliesin Publishing

Number of pages: 130
Word Count: 43,898

Book Description:

Gina Moretti is determined to escape her rural home of Clinton, Indiana, a place where wolves have met, married, and mated for generations. As the only daughter of the alpha, she’s lived her entire life under her father’s rule. No way is she ready to find a mate until she’s experienced more of the world. Against her family’s wishes, she goes to Boston where her scientist cousin, Dominic, has offered to give her a place to stay. She stumbles, quite literally, into her cousin’s gorgeous boss.

Lucas Mason, a Southern boy turned self-made millionaire, rose above his poverty stricken childhood and now enjoys a life of luxury in Boston. To honor his murdered sister, he hires her lab partner to continue their research. His employee, Dominic Moretti, is on the brink of creating a method to combat the scent of a wolf when his country cousin breezes in. Luke knows in an instant that Gina is his mate. The only problem is…she doesn’t even realize he’s a wolf.

As Luke and Dominic get closer to medical trials, an unknown enemy becomes determined to stop them…at any cost. Can Luke discover his foe in time to protect his research…and his mate? And what will happen when Gina finds out he’s not quite as human as he’s led her to believe?

http://youtu.be/zcyatUihuBM


Short Excerpt
“Ahhh,” she cried out as she tumbled toward the floor. A pair of strong arms clamped around her and jerked her back to her feet. Embarrassed beyond belief, her cheeks flamed with the knowledge she’d just made a fool of herself. In front of Dominic’s boss, no less. It didn’t take a brain scientist to realize the handsome, make that extremely handsome, man before her was Luke Mason.
He was sex-on-a-platter hot. Chiseled cheekbones, firm jaw, unbelievably straight nose, and a teensy weensy dimple in the center of his chin. This man was a living, breathing Greek god.
“Are you okay?” Piercing green eyes locked with hers as Luke’s grip on her arms slowly loosened.
Gina felt a jolt in the pit of her stomach. Despite Dominic’s warning to blend in, she sniffed the air. She had to. Something about this man called to her animal nature. But there was nothing. Not a trace of the wolf scent. Despite his unbelievable height and incredible physique, only the scent of sandalwood and spice came to her. Disappointment swamped her. He was human.
Luke continued to watch her. Gina knew he waited for her to speak, but her tongue refused to budge. She’d known he would be good-looking, but the newspaper article hadn’t done him full justice. Instead of a suit, he wore casual jeans and a dark blazer. He had the sort of hair that would curl in the rain. She didn’t know how she knew it. She just did. The golden-brown waves were delightfully rumpled in the middle of his head, as if he’d just risen from bed.
Gina gave a tiny moan at the thought of him rising naked from the sheets. He would be gloriously golden, with a tight belly and even tighter buttocks. Physical need rocked her to the core. What was up with lusting after a human? Was it merely the fact he was every woman’s wet dream, or something more?
His sensual lips curved into a sexy smile as he scrubbed a hand over his belly. “Hell of sharp elbow you have there.”
“Oh God, I’m so sorry.” Gina wanted to sink through the floor. Why was she always such a klutz?
“Don’t worry about it.” He drawled in a soft, slow tone.
She’d read he was originally from Jackson, Mississippi. The Southern accent was unbelievably sexy, but not nearly as sexy as the man himself. His face was a mixture of Hollywood leading man and mixed martial arts fighter. He was gorgeous, yet hard. She could easily visualize him serenading a woman one moment, and then fighting to protect her next.


About the Author:
Christy Gissendaner is a romantic comedy author and believes that laughter and love should go hand in hand.

Christy lives in Alabama with her husband and three sons. She’s always hard at work on her next novel, but in her spare time she loves blackjack, karaoke, and anything resembling a vacation!

To find out more, please visit http://christygissendaner.webs.com

http://www.twitter.com/christygis

http://www.facebook.com/christygis

http://www.goodreads.com/christygissendaner

Want more Scots?

Coming very soon in print and ebook!

ON A HIGHLAND HILL

They were destined to meet, but they never expected to fall in love…

His tormented soul

Kenneth McInnish, guardsman for the powerful Gunn Clan, is not prepared for the tender devotion from the lass his clan steals from the king. Tricked into marrying her, he decides to make the best of it. But it’s her kisses that win him over to the fact that he just might enjoy being wedded. Beneath Kenneth’s wounded heart lies a protector. But Elisa is more than capable of taking care of herself. The only place he’s sure of himself with her is at night when he shares the most passionate experiences of his life.

Her giving nature

Elisa always thought she’d wed the ruthless warrior who abducted her. When she finds out the truth behind her abduction and is mercifully rescued, she is forced to wed for her protection. She chooses the warrior whose soul needs saving the most. Everything she does to aid him goes awry and puts him in a worse position. Faced with the possibility of endangering his clan, she risks her own safety to save him.

A dangerous encounter

When Kenneth learns of the trickery which caused him to marry her, and forces him to confront his demons, he’s not sure how to handle it or her. She’s everything he never knew he could have. As they aid all those around them, can they save each other and find the love they both need and desire?


I'll be sure to let you know when it's out.

~Kara Griffin

Attack of Inspiration!

Often I get asked where do you get the inspiration for your books? For my historical novels, I do a lot of research and often come across a piece from the past that inspires a scene or a character. During my research I often find little tidbits that make me stop and make a note of a fact or historical figure. I can't help wanting to add or even find out more about such events or people.

In Claimed By A Charmer, I was watching BookTV and saw an interview about the movie The Magdalen Sisters. The author was speaking about real events that were shared in the story. One of the themes centered around the movie was how young girls were sent to the asylum by their parents. It inspired me to have Isabel being sent to an asylum and where she's saved by the hero. The asylum where she's sent is just as horrid as that depicted in the movie, and there are some dark events that take place.

In One And Only, I was researching medieval festivals and read about St. Swithin's Day. Of course I had to use it as the festival day when Bree goes missing as a small child. And I just loved the ditty about the festival too, and had her sing it.

In my newest story, On A Highland Hill, I wanted to put something historical in my story and was researching pinsels and found out that Alexander II was the first to use a royal standard of Scotland. In my story, a woman (of course fictitious) was sewing a banner for him and used some of the images in her pinsel for Alexander. There's also a little bit about what it means to be born on a certain day. Monday's child is ... You'll have to read the book to see :) but it's a fun bit of inspiration I got from research.

I know that many authors, like me, do try to be accurate about historical events, and so I try to weave them into my stories without compromising history too much.

Hope you enjoyed this little insight into where I get my inspiration.

Fondly,
Kara Griffin

A little insight to Douglas ...

If you would like to share an excerpt of your favorite hero, send it to me at karagrif66@comcast.net and I'll be happy to post it.

Here's a little insight into Douglas' character:

From *** CLAIMED BY A CHARMER ***

Douglas was beyond chagrined. Almost a week had gone by that he’d been home, not a blessed word of his wife’s whereabouts came. He was so incensed that he had a frown plastered on his face from sunup to sundown. Even his mother hadn’t been able to get him to release his aggression.
His mother touched his arm, and he looked up from his tray, pushing it away.
“Don’t worry so, lad. She’ll come back.”
“Ah, you have such confidence. Wish that I had. I just hope she is safe.”
“I’m sure she is. Is her brother still here?”
Douglas grumbled. “Aye, he won’t leave until she returns. I wish I told Isabel how much I loved her when I had the chance. Doesn’t seem likely I’ll have the chance now.”
His mother gasped. “I just thought of a way you can show your love for Isabel. Why didn’t I think of this before? Aye, I know what you should do.” She whispered in his ear, and for the first time since returning empty handed without his wife, Douglas laughed.
Nate and Gil walked inside and joined him.
“What’s so amusing?” Gil asked.
“My Mother has a strange sense of humor. What are ye thinking, Nate? You’re too quiet.” Douglas noticed his brother-in-law’s grim expression.
“‘Tis the truth, women. I was thinking what a pain in the arse my sister is.”
Burk entered the hall, wearing a sour expression that instilled a tightening in his chest. Douglas’ concern for his cousin became more worrisome as each day passed. He was almost afraid to ask what the news was.
“I’ve a message from Julianna.” Burk thrust the message at him.
“Has Bonnie been found?” Shelagh asked.
“Nay, Milady Kerr.”
Douglas read the message. All watched him as a multitude of expressions crossed his face, but he continued to look at the parchment. He finally lifted his head and laughed. “I know where she is.”
“Where?” Shelagh, Gil and Nate asked at once.
“Isabel is safe. She went to Julianna, and convinced her to send Father Tomas to aid the girls. Then she went to make sure they were safe at Parkville convent. Father Tomas took her to the Gordon’s.”
Nate swore. “She was never one to await anything.”
“I don’t know if I’m angry with her or not. Hell, she should have had faith in me. I was going to rescue the lassies after I finished …”
“But you didn’t tell her that, she didn’t know what you planned. This is all your fault.” His mother frowned at him.
“You’re aright, Mother. I know exactly what I will do.”
Everyone looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to expand on his remark, but he didn’t.
The evening meal was more joyous than that of previous nights. Douglas sat smiling, and ate heartily, his appetite returned. Many of his soldiers and clans-people attended the meal, and he was in a much better mood. He didn’t appear to be in a hurry to get to his ill disciplined wife.
“Why are you not on your steed, riding to England? She’ll not send you a blasted invite.” Nate hadn’t stopped pestering since earlier that afternoon.
“I’ll leave when I’m ready. Besides, she’s not going anywhere. Mayhap I’ll leave her to worry a bit before I go, serves her right for disobeying me.”
“But, you didn’t tell her she couldn’t leave the keep. Did you?”
Douglas laughed. “Nay, I didn’t, but a wife should know better than to leave the safety of her clan. I’ll make sure she follows that dictate in the future.”
Nate grinned. “And how are you going to ensure that? My sister is disobedient.”
“Aye, I love that about her most.”
“Shouldn’t ye go? Please, bring her home.” His mother hadn’t stopped badgering him either.
“Mother, I suppose you’ll nag me to death, until I do. I know exactly what I am doing. I’ll bring her home, only she’ll want to come.”
Shelagh smiled. “This is where she belongs, it’s her home and—”
Douglas pushed his chair out, then strolled toward the door, and called to Cedric. “I want you to deliver a message to Laird Gordon.”
“Where are you going, Douglas?” Nate shouted. “If you are going after my sister, I am coming, too.”
“I’m not going after her. She’ll come to me. I’m going to see Lowrie.” Douglas’ voice held a tinge of arrogance.
Shelagh walked to him. Her smile couldn’t be wider, her eyes twinkled. “Douglas, Lowrie?”
“Aye, Mother, Lowrie.”
“Does this mean you are going to—”
“Aye, I’m going to show her how much I love her.”

HERO DAY!

HERO DAY AT CASTLES & KISSES

Question for readers & writers ~ Who is the greatest hero you've written or read?

We all love to read about our dashing heroes and see him develop through the story. He may start off brash, cross, filled with angst. He may be a tortured soul or a man whom no one understands. He may be charming, but hides his heavy heart. It takes an amazing woman to deal with such a man, but he is the essence of the romance we love to read.

My answer:
For me, my favorite hero I've ever written has to be Douglas Kerr from Claimed By A Charmer. There's so much going on with him. I don't think I ever fully wrote the entire complexity of his character. He still nudges me from time to time, and I just smile because his story is written and that is that. And yet I wonder if I was able to make him truly happy with my choice of heroine for him. Isabel certainly gave him some surprises. With a man like Douglas, he needs a woman to keep him on his toes. Don't they all?

Claimed By A Charmer

(2nd book in the Pith Trilogy series)

In CLAIMED BY A CHARMER, Isabelle Calvert hopes to win the heart of Douglas Kerr by being the sweet, coy woman all men want. But what Douglas doesn’t know is Isabel’s true nature.

Lady Isabel Calvert hides her true spirit from everyone, especially her best friend's brother, Douglas, whom she secretly admires. Isabel'solder brother attempts to do the unthinkable and one night he almost succeeds. After the incident her father's superstition nature induces him to send her to an asylum. She must escape, her only hope—Douglas Kerr. Isabel is no shrinkingviolet, but she intends to be the timid woman all men want, in hope that Douglas will love her.

Laird Douglas Kerr is forlorn at his mission to find a wife. He was charming, wasn't he? At least that's what everyone teases him about. Douglas thought he'd found the woman of his dreams, but she turned out to be a harlot. He's asked by his sister to retrieve her friend, Isabel, the fiery, red-haired, cat-eyed, temptress he'd met when he escorted his sister home for their father's burial. When he meets the woman again, he doesn't find the hellion he believes her to be. Nay, she's a sweet, coy woman who intrigues him. As Douglas' life becomes complicated with mysterious happenings, he also find the love he's been missing all his life.

Can this dagger wielding woman win the heart of the Charmer?

Please do share your favorite character, whether you've read or written him. We would love to read your thoughts on the greatest hero!

~ Kara Griffin

Join me starting September 15th for a weekly blog post about Historical romances, medieval history and fun chats. I'll be offering some giveaways exclusively on this blog. Historical/romance authors will be invited to join in the discussions.

Should be fun. I am so looking forward to it.

~Fondly,
Kara Griffin