A Scrolls of Cridhe novella
Does he hate her clan enough to visit his vengeance on her? Or will he listen to her secret and his own heart’s yearning?Hatred lives and breathes between medieval clans who often don’t remember why feuds began in the shadowed past.But Eoin MacKay remembers.He will never forget how he was treated by Bhaltair MacNicol—the acting head of Clan MacNicol. He was lucky to escape alive, and vows to have revenge.Years later, as laird of Clan MacKay, he gets his chance when he captures Lady Fiona MacNicol. His desire for revenge is strong but he is beguiled by his captive. Can he forget his stubborn hatred long enough to listen to the secret she has kept for so long? And once he knows the truth, can he show her she is not alone and forsaken? In the end, is he strong enough to fight the combined hostilities and age-old grudges that demand he give her up?
Ceci
Giltenan
Ceci started her career as an oncology nurse at a leading research hospital, and eventually became a successful medical writer. In 1991 she married a young Irish carpenter who she met at a friend’s wedding. They raised their family in central New Jersey and currently reside in southwest Florida
Ceci is the author of two bestselling medieval Highland romances, Highland Solution released September 3, 2013 and Highland Courage released March 3, 2014.
Tell my fans a little bit about yourself and your books.
I am a nurse by education and worked for a number of years as an oncology nurse at the National Institutes of Health. Now I work for a small pharmaceutical company ensuring that their development programs meet FDA expectations. When I am not doing that, I love to retreat to the medieval Scottish Highlands and write romance. My debut novel, Highland Solution, was released in September 2013. The second book in the series, Highland Courage was released in March 2014 and the third, Highland Intrigue, was just released on October 25, 2014. My contribution to the Scrolls of Cridhe, Highland Revenge, will be my fourth publication.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on the sequel to Highland Revenge. There is a secondary character in Highland Revenge named Bram Sutherland. Beta readers loved him and while I also have Anna MacKay’s story in process, it looks like Bram’s will be next.
What books did you read as a child?
I read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” series over and over again. I also loved Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, by E.B. White, a series called the Borrowers, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books and a series of books about a nurse named Cherry Ames.
How has your life changed since you began writing?
Most notable is the magic that has flowed into my life as one of the Guardians of Cridhe. These women are perhaps the most creative, supportive, loving group of women I have ever met. Our legend says that we are descended from seven sisters. I firmly believe we have been brought together, perhaps not for the first time, for a reason.
Do you listen to music while you write?
No. I like silence.
Out of all of your characters, who is your favorite?
That is like asking me to pick a favorite child. However, I think I have to go with my first heroine, Katherine MacIan. She has so many qualities that I admire, patience, persistence and a sense of humor, not to mention the fact that she looks exactly like my daughter. ;-)
What do you want readers to take away from your books?
Love is powerful, forgiving, redeeming, tolerant, and persistent. Love does not keep a tally of right and wrong. Love does not set conditions. Love believes, hopes, and endures. Characters, like real people, make mistakes. They do stupid things occasionally, which of us hasn’t? But in the end these things that I believe to be true about love will ultimately prevail.
Where can fans find you?
Fans can find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cgiltenan on Twitter @CeciGiltenan or on my website www.cecigiltenan.com
He hadn’t gone terribly far when he
caught a glimpse of white halfway up a massive oak. She was well hidden. Her
plaid was dark green; he wouldn’t have noticed her among the leaves if he
hadn’t been specifically looking for her. He strode closer to the tree,
stopping once so he could look up through the branches. There, perched in the
crotch of two thick limbs was a woman so perfectly beautiful she might have
been part faery. He was left momentarily speechless. Her skin was fair, with a
faint pink blush to her cheek. He couldn’t see the color of her eyes, but they
were ringed with sooty lashes. Something told him that, regardless of their
hue, they would sparkle. Her rosy lips were full and soft—lips that were made
to be kissed. The late afternoon breeze ruffled the mass of black curls around
her shoulders. Her léine was torn, but otherwise she appeared none the worse
for wear. She is not a fairy, she is a MacNicol, he reminded himself.
She looked down at him silently
with her head cocked to one side, as if she was trying to solve some puzzle.
She didn’t seem remotely frightened. That would have to change if he was to
exact his revenge. “Have ye had a lovely day perched in yer tree, watching us
search for ye?”
“I suspect my day was better than
yers.”
Her impertinent answer irritated
him. “Well ye’ve had yer bit of fun, but it’s over. Climb down.”
She ignored him. “Who are ye?”
“Yer captor, and I ordered ye to
climb down. Do it now.”
“Nay, I asked ye a perfectly
reasonable question, and ye aren’t my captor if ye can’t reach me. Until I know
who ye are, I think I’d just as soon stay free, even if I am up a tree.”
“Free? Nay lass, ye’re as good as
locked in my dungeon, and I promise ye will regret yer impertinence.”
He called to one of his men.
“Donald, it fair breaks my heart, but the MacNicol lass doesn’t wish to join
our company.”
“An arrow would bring her down
quick enough.”
“Aye it would, but ye heard her
guardsman. This is Fiona MacNicol, Bhaltair’s niece. I wouldn’t want to harm a
hair on her wee head.”
Donald snorted. “Ye have no love
for the MacNicols, and neither do I. Have ye forgotten? One of my older
brothers rode with ye that night.”
“Ye’re right, Donald. I have no
love for the MacNicols, but the ransom this one will fetch will hurt Bhaltair’s
greedy, black heart nearly as much as a steel blade thrust into it. Mark my
words, we’ll have our revenge. We are leaving. Climb up, drag her down and bind
her. She managed to evade us once and I won’t have it happen again. We have
already wasted too much time on her.” He didn’t spare her another glance but
called over his shoulder, “By the way, lass, I am Laird Eoin MacKay, and ye’re
most assuredly my prisoner.”
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This is such a wonderful collection. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe how good these ladys are and to put them all in one book. Mind blowingly awesome.
ReplyDeleteWaving at Ceci!
ReplyDeleteI loved your reply to how your life has changed since you started writing. I believe you all go way back through many lives. There is such a beautiful, magical feeling that surrounds this group. :)
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the interview! You are right Leah, these are sisters from another time!