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 - On A Highland Hill

One of the most wonderful things about writing fiction is weaving in historical details. I often find tidbits of history to include. In researching for this book, I investigated the live of Alexander II who was the king at the time and read that he'd been the first to use a royal standard (flag) for Scotland. I thought, hmmm, how did he come up with the idea, which sparked a heroine for our hero and her family saga.

Other historical bits I loved about this story is that the Scots had a tradition to bury the placenta beneath a tree. They believed if the tree weakened and died, the child would as well. Yet if the tree thrived, so would the child. I just love the old wives-tales. I think this one is linked to the Picts or ancient worship to the Gods, which may or may not have been carried out into the future. In my story, the Gunns would do so.

Sometimes as a writer the timeline of events doesn't match up, but it's enough to inspire the historical element into the story. I had to tweak just a little. As to the western lands of Scotland, it's true that Domhnall mac Raghnaill tried to keep the lands from both Haakon, the King of Norway, and Alexander II, the King of Scotland, though the fighting didn't really begin until around the year 1244 when Alexander tried to buy the lands from Norway without much success. Scotland invaded Norway's territories in 1249. We know how it ends and fortunately the western territory is part of Scotland's beautiful great nation.

If you've read on A Highland Hill you know that poor Kenneth is a warrior who is haunted by his past. Elisa does everything to save him. In the story, his horse ails and they spend the night in the stable, a round stable with more than one floor. In my research, I found that clans that had armies often had such large stables. I suppose the roundness of them was for a purpose, but what ??? I had to make Elisa a veggie lover in this book, which was inspired by my 2nd daughter. And of course, Elisa had to torment Kenneth to get him to realize how much he cared for her.

I absolutely loved writing this story and hoped you enjoyed reading it.

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 lass and her wolfhound...

Meet Katriona Baldach, the woman to bring the Dragon king his just reward...and her faithful wolfhound Wynn.

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

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

Dashing Heroes

When it comes to creating heroes, I always have a certain image in mind. For my new story, One And Only, I see Grey looking like this. Forimidable, yet beautiful. My heroine certainly doesn't mind that he's attractive.

I always try to make each hero individual, giving them traits unto themselves. Grey is like a lost soul. He is dedicated to the extreme and when he loses his love, he won't love another. His traits were easy to come up with mainly because he just sort of came alive with each tap of my fingers. He wants to be the kind of man that is kind, caring, and considerate -- yet he can when called for it, be quite intimidating. Grey would like nothing better to settle down and give one woman all his attention.

I hope you've enjoyed this little foray into Grey's character. Look for more character insight to come.

Happy reading,
Kara Griffin

We all need to cool off

I'm happy to share a snip of my work in progress - One And Only. This is one hell of a romantic story. And I have to tell you, I'm in love with Grey and envy Albrey.

Here's a preview.
Please note this work is copyrighted by Kara Griffin 2010.

Excerpt:

Grey led her to a densely wooded area on the opposite side of the stream and found large boulder to sit on. He motioned for her to sit and then joined her.

“You make me nervous.”

“I do, lass? Why?”

Albrey folded her hands in her lap and smiled. “You’re very tall, and well...handsome. Have you married, Laird Gunn?”

“Grey, lass, and no.”

“Haven’t you ever wanted to marry?”

“Not for a long time.” That was about as much as he would admit, but then let out more. Grey took her hand and tried not to look so severe. “There was a lass I was betrothed to, and I loved her with all my heart.”

“What happened? Why didn’t you marry her?”

Grey felt old emotions coming upon him. “I can’t...don’t want to talk about it. Tell me what you remember, go back as far as you can.”

Albrey pulled her hand from his. “I only remember seeing my mother’s face and then being taken to the kitchens for a bath. Cait was there. She took care of me.”

“You don’t remember the men who took you there?”

“No. Mayhap I suppressed those memories. I didn’t want to remember where I’d come from. All I knew was the lady was nice and the baron treated me with kindness.”

“That is honorable for an Englishman. You don’t remember your father or mother?”

“Grey, no, I don’t remember. I want to know how you know me. Did you really know me as a child?”

“Aye, you were always getting into trouble. My father, Laird Mikal, put me in charge of watching you when you came for a visit. You always brought me gifts. It destroyed me when you disappeared.”

“I’m sorry, Grey. I sense a deep sadness in you. I would never cause anyone such distress.”

Grey shook the emotions away and stood. “Let us take a dip in the stream and cool off.”

“It is unbearably hot tonight. Do you think we’ll have a storm?”

He led her toward the stream and found a few people mulling on the opposite side. Though it was wide, it wasn’t very deep, perhaps two or three feet. The clear water was cool from the mountainous runoff.

“I doubt it. There’s a good many stars starting to come out,” he said, pointing to the sky.

Albrey lifted the hem of her skirt and wadded into the water.

Grey pulled off his plaid and removed his shirt. He walked into the water and started to splash water on his chest. Albrey stood a few feet from him and as if he’d traveled back in time, he stood staring at her.

Jarred from memories, he felt the water splash him. She kept up the attack and he chased after her, lifting her in his arms. She squealed with laughter, a delightful sound that made him grin. They were both wet now and as he looked at her face, he realized how much she meant to him.

His lips sought hers, only for a light touch, but Grey couldn’t tamper the flames and found himself kissing her like he’d never kissed another. He used his tongue to will her to return his desire and when he felt the timid touch being returned, he moaned.

Breaking off the kiss, he smiled, knowing how good it was going to be between them.

“You make me forget myself.”

“I’ve forgotten enough for the both of us.” Albrey didn’t move away when he set her on the ground. “I’m much cooler now, thank you for bringing me here, Grey.”

“I’m hotter.”


~Stay tuned for more. I hope you enjoyed this little peek into Grey and Albrey's life. Happy Reading.

Kara

Defining Historical Romance

Definition: Historical Romance
a. A long medieval narrative in verse that tells of the adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroes: an Arthurian romance, and of ladies who succumb to their will.
b. A long fictitious tale of heroes and extraordinary or mysterious events, usually set in a distant time or place.
c. The class of literature constituted by such tales.

That's what Castles & Kisses is all about - telling the adventures of two people who come together, triumphing over all obstacles and life's impositions. With Chivalric heroes, who may not own up to love right away or misguided heroines, who have no choice but to admire the men who set out to rescue them. These stories tell of the anguish of love: love hurts after all. In the end, there's no way around it -- a hero always gets what he wants.

I hope you enjoy taking these adventures with me and like me come to adore the times when a warrior, though passionate about many things, can find love too.

Happy Reading,
Kara Griffin