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

To read a book or watch TV?

The scales are tipping these days. Gone are the days when I preferred reading a book to TV. But we have to admit there are so many good shows on right now. I still prefer reading, especially a historical. Still, I cannot miss my favorite TV shows. Good thing there's On Demand TV.

I cannot miss: Dexter, Hell on Wheels, Boardwalk Empire, Copper ... and some are getting ready to come back Borgias, Game of Thrones, and a few others.

Which shows would you watch over reading a book?

~Kara

A writer's weird ...

You may think you may know me but ...

When I sit down to write all must be right in my world. I cannot concentrate or even begin to start writing unless everything is in order. If I sit to write and there is one thing out of place, I must take action. Strange isn't it? I guess it's my quirky weirdness. But really if I want to focus on writing I must be in a clean, orderly room - with no distractions.

And that's not even the worst of it. I need to have a clear mind so all the stuff that fills my brain must be shoved out so I can think and concentrate. In order to do this, I sit, breathe, and kind of meditate until there is nothing in my thoughts but my story.

I'm not hard to live with. Well maybe I am.

I feel slightly sorry for my family who has to put up with these quirky personalities. For me, all needs to be settled before I can even think to sit and write.

What about you? Are you of a similar mind?

~Kara

One And Only - new release excerpt by Kara Griffin

An excerpt of my newly released book: One & Only

Intro: Grey is young lad put in charge of watching over the lass, Albrey, whom he will be betrothed to. He's left her sleeping near her parents to go and watch the warriors train...

“I best get back to watching Albrey. She’s probably awakened by now.”

Laird Gunn patted his son’s shoulder. “Aye, ye do your duty well watching the lass. It was honorable of ye to do so all day, lad. We should get to the betrothal ceremony; all are likely in their cups by now and won’t get to enjoy the announcement.”

Laird Ross stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. “Before we do, I want to give ye this.” He pulled out a steel dagger from a leather sheath. The dagger was well made, encrusted with a row of red jewels on the handle. “I give ye this gift, Grey, on this your betrothal day. As your champion, I bid you to always protect what is yours.”

“I will, Laird Ross.” Grey was pleased by the gift and admired the sharp blade. The jewels gleamed and gave a sparkle to the handle. He slid it back in the sheath and tucked it inside his tunic. “Thank ye for giving it to me.”

“Come, we shall find the lass and shout the news afar. She’ll be a bonny lass, Grey, when she’s older. Albrey will give you fine sons with strength enough to lead our soldiers. You will be an honorable man and she deserving such.” Laird Ross clapped his shoulder.

Grey walked beside his da, stepping lively. He wanted to hear the grand gesture of what the betrothal meant, once again. When his da and Albrey’s father was given the order by King William to betroth Albrey to him, Grey had been awakened in the middle of the night. They related the dictate with elation. The betrothal would allow them to ally their clans, and put aside the wars and scuffles.

The only promise Albrey’s father asked of him was that their families be at peace and that Albrey be safe from harm be it from he or his enemies. When asked if he could handle the task, Grey nodded and assured them he was capable, for which he received a few punches to his arms and grunts of approval.

Grey would always protect her and keep her in comforts, safe from his enemies, and he’d do his best to adore her. It’s what his da had done for his ma. His father had placed his mother in high esteem, always telling anyone who would listen that if it were not for her, he would be a lesser man. Laird Gunn taught his men to follow his lead and revere the women in their clan with the greatest respect. Grey had received those lessons since he’d been able to walk. Without women, men would suffer so. They would not have such tasty meals, clean tartans, tidy homes, or children to strengthen the clan.

As Grey reached the table where his ma had sat, he frowned. Neither Lady Mackay nor his ma was there. The spot where Albrey had lain was unattended, the grass undisturbed. She hadn’t lain very long. He should have known she would flee as soon as everyone’s backs turned. Then a twinge of guilt came upon him and he scolded himself for not checking on her sooner.

Both the Mackay and Gunn clans, as well of those attending the celebration, searched for hours. All looked for the missing lass, well into the morning light. Grey wouldn’t return to his family’s holding no matter how much his ma pleaded. He kept the search going, lighting a torch and checking most of her hiding spots.

The lass disappeared altogether. Grey grew dejected and could only blame himself. Their earlier conversation came back to him and he relayed what she’d told him to his da. He envisioned her face when she’d told him of her fear. But his da didn’t put much weight in Albrey’s concern about Kenneth MacHeth.

After nearly three days of looking for her, Grey finally conceded defeat. As he stood before his family’s home crestfallen, his da came outside.

“Come inside, Grey. Your ma is worried sick.”

Grey pulled the dagger from within his tunic, given to him by Donal Ross. Fitting it symbolized his betrothal, a union that would never be. Taking hold of his plaid, he tore it off, and then ripped his tunic until he felt the breeze on his uncovered chest. The air was crisp enough to bring a speckle of goose bumps to his flesh. Grey paid no attention to the effect of the night wind and looked up at his father.

“I didn’t keep my promise to Albrey. I swore to protect her. She’s lost to me forever, Da. This will always remind me of my failure.” Grey drew the pointed end of the sharp dagger over his heart, making a decent sized slash, one that would certainly need stitching.

Blood began pouring out of him and all he felt was the warmth of the liquid flowing over his skin and the sting of his failure. He looked up at his da and his vision blurred.

“Grey! God Almighty! Grey!” His da roared an anguished cry as he caught Grey’s body before it fell to the ground.


I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into One & Only. It's available now in both print and ebook on Amazon.com

Kara Griffin
www.karagriffin.webs.com