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 Musings - A Highlander In Peril

Hello Readers! So we continue our musings with A Highland In Peril. Confession here, as I was writing this story it gave me such contention. I wasn't sure I liked the story or the hero or heroine. By the time I finished it, I fell in love with them. Sean Gunn is such a gentle warrior and Frances, a spirited lass. It's funny, but readers really enjoyed their chemistry. I pulled my hair out to make them fall in love, lol. But it was worth the torment in the end.

As to the historical elements, I always try to enrich my stories with historical facts. I also love adding old tales or stories in them. The Fox and the Goose story was found on Electric Scotland and is a Scottish children's story. And if you've read the book, you probably enjoyed Mistress Ina's antics. I came across the story of Finn Mac Cool and the ballad 'Am Bròn Binn' on EducationScotland.gov.uk. She's a saucy woman for sure.

With Sean and Frances' story, I had to mix in a little drama on the part of Scotland's queen. Alexander married Joan when she was only eleven years old. Imagine that, marrying a man at such an age. Poor Joan, right? But Joan was close to her brother Henry, the king of England, at the time. She didn't have a strong position in Alexander's court. And Alexander was plagued during his rein with wanting the lands that were promised to him when he married her. The two kingdoms settled their disputes with the Treaty of York, which finally defined the boundary lines between the countries -- and which still stands today. So perhaps it's a good thing Alexander married Joan.

I loved that the characters all meet up again at the Gunn keep on Saint Swithin's Day. That holiday is endeared to me and I couldn't resist adding it again.

This book is probably the darkest Scottish romance I'd written. The villain is deceptive, but you get a sense of why he does what he does... During this time, people were fearful of superstitions and our villain uses such to get notoriety. He's truly a knave.

I hope you read the story if you haven't, and if you have, loved the story. In the end, it's truly a romantic tale worth your time.

Happy Historical Reading,

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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