Monday's Musings - In Love With A Warrior

Hello Readers! Welcome back to Monday's Musings. This week we talk about In Love With A Warrior. SO James Gunn is probably one of my most tortured heroes. I just love him and his braw (strong). He's definitely a hero to sigh over. And Emlyn, I wanted to smack her throughout the book, because she tried to thwart the relationship with James. I won in the end, lol.

James fell in love with Emyln at first sight. He's a man who knows what he wants, but unfortunately, he has to go through hell to get it. Emlyn is a woman who is ahead of her time, but when she risks losing James, she must figure out how to be herself and give in a little.

This was my first foray into medieval Wales and let me tell you, the stories I could write...which I plan to. It's as beautiful, stark, and magical as Scotland, and I am completely drawn to it. In researching for this story, I always try to bring actual historical figures into the tale. William Marshall, the son of the most famous knight of all time, was my villain. I had to make him a little chivalrous because his father would've had an impact on his behavior. He was somewhat gentle when it came to dealing with Emlyn.

I wanted Emlyn to have a pet (because you know how I love to include animals in my stories) and in my research for the kind of dog she would have, I cam across weird but true animal friendships. There was a dog and owl in Wales that befriended each other. I thought they'd make the perfect duo for our heroine. You can find out more about them here:  http://www.today.com/pets/magical-mates-owl-hitches-ride-dogs-back-739540

In Welsh mythology and literature, the Pair Dadeni (The Cauldron of Rebirth) is a magical cauldron able to revive the dead. I couldn’t resist including it in the story. I hope to one day explore Wales’ realms and see the awe-inspiring places that have enriched the folklore of that land. Additionally, Llywelyn is said to be the last great chieftain to rule Wales. David, the chieftain’s son, was unable to keep Wales from the powerful English king’s army and was executed for treason in 1283 by Edward I of England.

Ending a series is like breaking up with your hero. I was sad to leave the Gunns and sometimes I reread the stories because they're every Historical Romance lover's dream.

Join me next week and we'll begin delving into the remarkable tales of the Legend of the King's Guard, a series that takes place during the Wars of Independence.

Happy Historical Reading,

Kara Griffin

Monday's Musing - One & Only

Hi Readers! Welcome back. Today we look at the research/inspiration for One & Only, the first book in the highly rated and acclaimed book one in the Gunn Guardsman series.

It's funny how I always begin my books with an idea and it rolls into a series. That was the case with this series. I wanted to write Graeme's story and more stories formulated for the other men in the story. But first...let's start at the beginning. So I got the idea thinking about a young lass who was troublesome and the lad she tormented because we know girls always bother the boys especially at young ages. I always pestered my brothers and the boys who played outside on our street, but that's me...a minx.

The beginning of the story was inspired by the idioms don't throw the baby out with the wash water dates back to the 1500's. In medieval times, people shared bathwater and by the time the baby was bathed in it, the water was so murky the baby was in danger of being tossed out. Most believe this idiom means don't do something which you'll regret. 

Also, I loved the spare the rod, spoil the child idiom. Since Bree was a little vixen and because she was so cute and adorable no one wanted to punish her when she did wrong (which was often.) The meaning: children would become weak or vulnerable if not chastised, physically or otherwise, for any wrongdoing. Perhaps that is true, but no spoilers here :)

I think it's fun to include sayings from earlier time periods, especially those that no longer exists or known today. And I loved King William in this story. In researching him, I found that he had some illegitimate children and I thought hmmm.... So Aubrey/Bree was born to him.

A lot of the scenes in this story was inspired by images I found on the web or those on the Pinterest board. Check them out here: https://www.pinterest.com/karagriffin/one-and-only-gunn-guardsman-1/

And a song that played on repeat while I was writing it was Mayday Parade's "We Were Kids In Love" Quite inspiration. 

Also I have never been a good cook. I can be when I want to be, but I though I would make my heroine a great cook and everyone loves her food. The theme can be found throughout the book because it is Bree's "go to" when she's upset or needs something to distract her.

If you've read the book or may want to there are a good many researched themes within. For example, medieval people had many festivals and feasts in honor of all sorts of things. There is a wonderful holiday the ancients celebrated called Saint Swithin's Day. It coincided with the harvest festival. I find it sad that some of our ancestor's holidays fell by the wayside. Saint Swithin's Day is like America's Ground Hog Day in that it foretold the weather as an 'old wives tale.' There's a cute song that goes with it:

St. Swithin's day, if thou dost rain,

For forty days it will remain;

St. Swithin's day, if thou be fair,

For forty days 'twill rain na mair.

In the story there are two lords who are featured: MacHethe and MackWilliams, who were indeed after King William's crown and then his son, Alexander's. There was a lot of turmoil embedded within their trying to usurp the kings, but all were squelched by the growing strength of the Scottish kings.

There's also reference regarding executions. In those times many people were mainly executed with men by hanging and women by drowning (pit and gallows). The Scots were superstitious and continued to practice Norse law (especially north and in the Highlands) where the men were sent to Woden (hanging by wood) and the women were given to Ran (a sea goddess, drowning.)

This was a fun series to research and I was like a kid in a candy store when I found bits of history to add to the story. If you've read One & Only, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Tune in next week and we'll talk about On A Highland Hill. Two of my favorite people - Kenneth and Elisa!

Happy Historical Reading,

Kara Griffin

Monday's Musing - Lass' Valor

Inspiration for Brendan MacKinnon 

Today we delve into the backstory and inspirational research for Lass' Valor, the 3rd book in the Pith Trilogy. The 13th century is my favorite historical time frame to write in. I don't know why it appeals so much to me. Perhaps it's because it's been romanticized so much with courtly love, chivalry, knights in shining armor... 

In the last book of the Pith Trilogy, I thought of a lass who could take care of herself and yet hopes to find love. Kaitlin's father has left her an orphan and her guardian means to use her to gain the wealthy possession her father sent her from the crusade. She's taken to the guardian's home and finds a wee lass there. Kaitlin loves children and she can do nothing but rescue the child.

Brendan is probably the fiercest warrior in the clan. He's superstitious and has prebattle rituals (which is a throwback to his ancestors). Researching the warrior's rituals was inspiring, especially because the Scots were fearless in their pursuit of war. They fought with passion and typically for something that meant a great deal to them. They were dedicated to their clansmen and country and resigned to fight to the death for their sovereign or lord or even for the ideal of an important matter.

Kaitlin has a cat who was inspired by my own sweet kitty Trixie. I got to enjoy 19 years with my persnickety feline. She passed to kitty heaven in 2008, and sadly not a day goes by that I don't think about her. But I found a cat Princess Pearl who greatly resembles Trixie in her mannerisms. Yeah, she's a bitch too. lol. But I still love her. I told you animals were a typical thing in my stories, and I hope they add a sweetness to the characters.

I couldn't help but make Brendan a cantankerous sort of fellow. He's been a quiet sort in the previous books and keeps to himself mostly, until his story comes to light. Though he's close to his brothers, he's kind of an outsider within his clan. Then he meets Kaitlin and everything changes for him. But he must be accepting or else he'll lose all.

I find in life sometimes it is hard to accept life's choices or to even make them. The fear is what if it's a mistake, what if what I hope happens, doesn't? I suppose that's how life is...to go forth and not look back. Make the most of the situation you're in and follow your heart, right? I kept telling my characters that and fortunately in the end, they listened.

Happy Historical Reading,

Kara Griffin

Monday's Musings - Claimed By A Charmer

Hi Readers, welcome back to Monday's Musings. Early on in writing my books, I didn't include an Author Note, but I will discuss some of the elements in the second book in the Pith Trilogy. In case you didn't know Pith means love. So the books are really the love trilogy :)

Today I'm talking about Claimed By A Charmer (one of my favorite books) although, I love all the stories I've written. This book is kind of dear to my heart. The heroine Isabel is probably the character I most identify myself with.

Her backstory - she has a terrible home life and gets to go to her uncles where she meets a friend. They have a lifelong friendship and Isabel falls hard for her friend's brother. Unfortunately, Isabel has an unruly father, a despicable brother, and a brother who she loves dearly.

Douglas is every lass's dream. He's ever the charmer and captures Isabel's affection (well not really) from the moment they meet.

SO the musing -- This story came to me on a Sunday morning as I was watching some book related show (can't remember the name now, but it was on PBS) and they were discussing a movie The Magdalene Sisters. If you don't recall it, it was about {Three young Irish women struggle to maintain their spirits while they endure dehumanizing abuse as inmates of a Magdalene Sisters Asylum.}

Isabel's story instantly came to me while I listened to some of the horrible things the girls endured in the movie. Though the movie was set in Ireland, my story takes place in Scotland -- and also the asylum Isabel is sent to is one that is ruled by an awful caretaker, not nuns. So there are vast differences. I just imagined what would my heroine do if she was sent to such a place and the story wrote itself.

Isabel makes me want to be courageous, to face the world head on, and win. She's a gentle woman faced with dark moments. But she also is kind and wants to save the world.

Douglas is a swoon-worthy hero, although he saves Isabel a few times, he's also saved by her. Mentioned in the story is Douglas's stepmother who has a tattoo. People have been putting images on their bodies forever - going back to ancient times of the Picts etc. So that she had one wasn't really a stretch. I love that element of the story because Douglas needs it to prove to Isabel he loves her. No spoilers here lol.

Poor Douglas unfortunately makes an enemy who hexes him throughout the book. But he doesn't know who is causing the trouble. When he finds out, he's relieved he made certain choices in his life. The mystical element is underlying and not the focus of the book, but it make for an interesting twist to the story. I had a great time researching potions, hexes, and mystical chants.

The themes of this book are rich with friendship, family, courage, and love.

I hope you enjoyed this insight into the book and its research.

Stop back and we'll take a look at Lass' Valor next week.

Happy Historical Reading,

Kara Griffin

Monday's Musings - Warrior's Pledge

Warrior's Pledge was my first book. I will never forget the love and heart that went into that book. Unfortunately, I hadn't included an author note, but below, you'll find some of the ideas and research that went into the story.

The inspiration for Warrior's Pledge came about from a dream I had while I was sleeping in the car on the way home during an 18 hour drive from Chicago. Of course I'd been an avid Historical Romance reader at the time and was devouring books at least one per day then.

When I got home, I got on the computer and started writing. The name Julianna was inspired by my Great-great-grandmother. Of course I had to add a little magical element in the story which is where Julianna's friend Bleeth comes in. The heroine's story came to me and I researched King John's life and learned his father King Henry II had many mistresses and children out of wedlock (but didn't they all!) I wanted her to be related to John and so I made her his sister via his father. Her story begins as a young girl who witnesses her mother's death - but as all children of a young age, memories are hard to decipher. 

{This actually is a personal connection for me. My father died when I was four. Through my life memories have come to me of him. When I spoke of them to my mom, she clarified the actual situation. Of course I had a different view as a child so it was nice to find out the reality of my memories.}

Colin's life was filled with turmoil with the dysfunction of his family (his parents had a terrible relationship - but no spoilers here lol). He has a good relationship with his brothers and clan, but doesn't think he's capable of love. Perhaps Juliana will prove him wrong on that matter.

In this book, I enjoyed the descriptive scenes of the Scottish landscape. Because I was landlocked here in the US I did extensive research and fell in love with its stark beauty. It's said that during Pangaea Scotland was connected to North America around the north eastern part of the US. I have lived in Pennsylvania and there are many similarities of the land there, rocky mountainous places, streams, lakes, etc. When the Highland clearances happened in the 1600's many Scots found their way to Pennsylvania. I like to think they settled there because it reminded them of home.

George, the goat in the story, was inspired by a dog we once had that was such a trouble-maker. He wouldn't stay out when he was supposed to or in. I love adding animals/pets to my story. Animals have always been a part of human's life and adding them makes characters more interesting and lifelike.

That's it for now :) Be sure to check back next week when I share inspiration/research bits about Claimed By A Charmer.

Happy Historical Reading!

Kara Griffin

 

A BAD BOY is only good for one night...

A "Bad Boy" is only good for one night. OR is he?

Let's face it ladies, we all love the bad boy, don't we? When we select books to read, we search for the ultimate bad boy hero -- the one that's a challenge, the one that gives ultimate pleasure and leaves you wanting more ...

Yeah, the bad boy is a fantasy come true IF you can take a little of the bad out of him and keep his interest. A bad boy is always on the lookout for a conquest, a way to keep himself entertained, and well ... He's a bit selfish. But heck that's what we love about him.

When I write heroes in my romances, I love giving my heroes a little bit of the bad boy angst, but ultimately I write heroes who I would fall in love with. Heroes who no matter what give their heart, their whole heart. They sacrifice their happiness and all that they have. They vow to love, protect and cherish -- which is exactly what we women want. At least I do :)

No, I don't want the bad boy who rips my gorgeous gown or grips my hair and forces me to his will. I'm too spitfire for that. I want a man who can make my body sing and still be man enough to be sensitive, sweet, and sometimes charming. Yet in bed, let's face it - we want the BAD BOY. We want him to take what he wants, to demand his pleasure, to say what's on his mind - even if it's dirty! Oh, indeed - he should be cocky with some angst, have a good body, have the charisma knowing he's bad for us BUT we don't care.

I've written many memorable heroes and of them I would have to say James in IN LOVE WITH A WARRIOR is one of my favorites. He's a bad boy, but deep down he's vulnerable. He wants what he wants, but he realizes love comes with compromise. In the end he must realize his insecurities don't matter to the woman who loves him.

It was the same with Douglas Kerr in CLAIMED BY A CHARMER. He wasn't about to let any lass stomp all over him, but Isabel, well she does her best to snare him. Like me, she's a spitfire who makes her bad boy fall hard. He's a bad boy who claims not be easily won over, but in the end the lass of his dreams does more than that.

Then there is Graeme Cameron in my latest book, CONQUERED HEART. He isn't a bad boy, but a chivalrous warrior who won't let anyone interfere with the love of his life. I suppose ultimately that makes him a bad boy.

In thinking about Liam Kincaid in UNBREAKABLE HEART, the 2nd book in the Legend of the King's Guard series (my latest work-in-progress), I wanted him to be a bad boy initially and work up to be the "dream man" and he is definitely giving me a challenge because he so wants to be BAD. I just hope the heroine forgives his asinine behavior.

So what about you? Do you love a bad boy who turns into the "dream man" or are you happy with the bad boy who stays the bad boy and doesn't grow into the sort of "keeper" man? My dream man would be a bad boy who keeps some of his bad boy traits, but can charm me and yet is sensitive to my needs. Is there such a man in existence or was there ever? I certainly hope so!

Keep searching ladies!
Fondly,
Kara Griffin

Love and courtship

As Valentine's Day approaches, it got me to thinking of courtship and love -- and of how men treated women in medieval times. I'd like to think men have always respected women as they deserved, but alas, that is not the case. Back in medieval times women were property, plain and simple. They were either "purchased" if they were of noble birth or subjected to the rule of men in their family or those of higher nobility.

Women were the heart of the family in all things. Times haven't changed much in that regard, have they? We're still the heart -- taking care of our men and handling all matters.

Then came the crusades. I suppose we women should be thankful for them (though they certainly did not attain what the church had set out accomplish)... Men learned much on the long journey to fight for what they believed religious salvation. What they learned and what women learned upon their return was their men missed them. And so began the rights of courtship.

Men began their objective of winning the hand of their fair lady. To risk one's life in a joust, in a duel to death, in political dealings...men wagered much back then. Perhaps women (I'd like to think) made them try a little too hard. Many a men sent a verse of prose, revealing their heart's desire (or hired someone to write it for them). Times haven't changed much. I doubt most men have a flair for writing love notes.

Declarations of love were assuredly for more purposes than pleasure. And boy did we women fall for it. I suppose the gallantry would have won me over.

And so as this Valentine's Day approaches and the thought of love comes to our minds, I hope with all my heart that what those poor men subjected themselves to was and still is today -- cherished.

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Find out how a medieval warrior attests his love and how she brings him to his knees in One and Only, a Scottish romance, a new book by Kara Griffin. Coming soon.

Kara Griffin
www.karagriffin.webs.com
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