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

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

Finding Inspiration ...

Finding motivation, inspiration, and the time to write is a challenge for many authors. In the last year, it had been so for me. Lately I have been inspired and motivated but unfortunately lack the time to get to all of my writing needs.

Now it is time to get down to business and get these stories written. Here's a list of my current works and some events that are coming up.

This July is the 20th anniversary of the first book in the Pith Trilogy. I cannot believe it's been that long since I wrote my very first romance WARRIOR'S PLEDGE. It is a story I still smile at when I remember the characters. I plan to celebrate this milestone by revamping all the stories (just a smidgen mind you) and giving them gorgeous new covers. Look for the updates beginning in July and fanning out to end of year.

The first book in the Mystic Ladies of Britain series is due out soon. The first in the series PENDRAGON'S PRINCESS is in editing and will soon be in your hands. The second book THE GOOD WITCH AND THE WARRIOR is sure to be an incredible love story. The last book, THE KNIGHT'S LOVE (title TBA) is the conclusion.

I don't know about you, but I love me some scary in my romance stories. I've begun the tale of THE DAUGHTERS OF DUNFELD -- a collection of stories that is sure to be a frightening romantic good time. Look for the release near October 2019!

And of course I'll be writing more series. There are currently two on the back-burner: THE MARVELOUS MACLEERS and THE KEEPERS OF THE KINGDOM. You'll hear more about these series as I plot and plan.

If you haven't read any of the books in these series, be sure to check them out.

• THE LEGEND OF THE KING'S GUARD series books are discounted from 5/9 to 5/16 in the US/UK for 99 cents.
• THE GUNN GUARDSMAN series books are discounted from 5/16 to 5/23 in the US/UK for 99 cents.

Be sure to visit my website as I start a new monthly giveaway of a print book. This month I'm giving away a copy of CONQUERED HEART, the first book in the Legend of the King's Guard series. Visit my website at: https://karagrif66.wixsite.com/authorkaragriffin and check out the NEW look.

I am ready, motivated, and am truly inspired to give you stories to make you swoon, sigh, and perhaps cry a wee bit at the sweet, sexy, and passionate stories I have planned.

Happy Reading!
Kara Griffin