LEPRECHAUN LUCK: ROMANCE DWELLS WITHIN A HEART OF GOLD BLOG HOP TOUR (MARCH 23-25)

**OFFICIAL TOUR RULES TO BE POSTED:**

1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Friday, March 23, at Midnight (Arizona Time) THIS TOUR ENDS: Sunday, March 25, at Midnight (Arizona Time) Winners will be drawn and posted Monday, March 26! ***

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS & BOOK PAGES! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR & BOOK PAGE IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!



Anyone who leaves a comment or participates in the "Historical writing" post will be entered to win a free download of their choice of Claimed By A Charmer or Lass' Valor! So be sure to post a comment and say hello! There will also be a special prize drawn from all entries for a piece of bling.

Kara Griffin

http://www.karagriffin.webs.com

Historically speaking

As you know, I love history, especially history I can relate to. My family is of the Clan Cameron in Scotland. My grandfather was born of American-Scots. I have always wondered who and where we came from. One day my plan is to visit Scotland and to hopefully have a connection.

Here is what our clan tartan looks like. Of course I always wondered why I was partial to the color red. There's a really facinating article about kilts/tartans at:


http://www.scottish-history.com/kilt.shtml

We'd all love to imagine our dashing heroes wearing kilts/tartans - realistically they really didn't. We'll just put that fact aside and let our heroes dress as they will.

Kara

Claimed is coming

Check out the NEW cover for Claimed By A Charmer. Claimed will be available shortly at many book places. I'll let you know when it's available.

Here's a little preview:


Lady Isabel Calvert hides her true spirit from everyone, especially her best friend’s brother, Douglas, whom she secretly admires. Isabel’s older 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 shrinking violet, 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?

What they're saying:


“What I enjoyed about Claimed by a Charmer is it’s a story about finding the one person who makes you feel more alive than any other on the planet. The struggling relationship between Isabel and Douglas is passionate, amusing and the essence of true romance. They are both strong characters who have met their match and have to learn how to compromise in order to be together. Claimed by a Charmer also reinforces the fact that you can’t hide who you really are. That the one who loves you, loves you for who you are and not what you believed they want you to be. Claimed by a Charmer is charming, sweet and an enjoyable romantic read.”
4 Angels
Fallen Angel Reviews
Reviewed by: Janet

* * *
“CLAIMED BY A CHARMER is such an enjoyable read it isn't possible for me to do it justice within the space I have. But don't just take my word that five hearts doesn't seem a high enough rating. You've got to read this one.”
The Romance Studio
Reviewer: Karen H.

As Valentine's Day approaches I was thinking of history (of course) because I love history. In times past, lovers wrote heartfelt letters - and not just at Valentine's Day. Imagine receiving a letter written by hand from the man whom you adore. The sentiment is much richer in having his own hand write the words.

Have we lost the sentimentality of that romantic gesture? Has technology finally won out and now we're doomed to emails and tweets and IM's? I don't know any woman who would prefer to receive a "love letter" via those avenues. If we could clue men in on the simple fact that the written word would probably win their heart's desire, would they take note?

My man used to write such lovely notes when we first met and I thought this year, I'm going to remind him of that. So I intend to write my own "love letter" and hopefully he'll write back.

Wishing everyone love and romance (and hopefully you receive a love letter),
Kara

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
www.facebook.com/karagriffin