Interview and Giveaway: Mary Wine with Highland Hellcat

Today I welcome Mary Wine to my blog. She is the author of Highland Hellcat, among other books. At the bottom of this interview there is giveaway, 2 copies to win so what are you waiting for :)

Welcome to Mur-y-Castell!

Tell me something about yourself, so we get a better understanding about the woman behind the author.

MW: I’m a scatter-brained mother of two who gets bossed around by the family parrot…oh…well, maybe that’s not the best way to put it. LOL. The parrot does boss me around but he’s just so darn cute. I practice Tae Kwon Do with my boys, and we have all earned our black belts. My other love is sewing. I make historical garments and enjoy finding an excuse to wear them.

Your newest book is called Highland Hellcat; can you tell me what it is about?

MW: This is the tale about what happens when well-laid plans don’t go as planed. Brina was promised to the church, a rather normal practice in this time. Families that had three living daughters and sons too were expected to promise one to the service of the church. Those cathedrals took a lot of care. But there was food on the table and a roof over your head, so for most it wasn’t very different than they would have had. Connor is a laird and he has a choice…be a good laird and earn respect or just take it as his due. He decides to earn it. That means he will marry for the alliance it brings his clan. He makes a deal with a large clan for the eldest daughter but she believes herself in love with someone else. Connor needs to secure a bride without rumors clinging to her so he takes Brina instead. Like I said…plans going astray.

Who is your favorite hero from the Highland series, and why?
MW: At the moment it’s Quinton but I believe that’s due to the fact that I wrote his book most recently. I tend to become absorbed in my work in progress.

The last book in the series is Highland Heat, when is that book out? Can you tell us a little bit about it?
MW: This will be Quinton’s tale. It will release in March and the cover is wonderful! Quinton is jaded and Deirdre is distrusting of men. For these two to fall in love and admit it, took an amazing story.

What kinds of books do you read? Any favorite authors?
MW: Karen Roberts, Lora Leigh, Jo Goodman… and many others. When I’m not reading romance, I’ve got my nose stuck in a history book. My kids are forever living in fear of mom saying, ”Did you know, there were street vendors as early a 1640 in the New York city area? They sold hot potatoes…” LOL.

Any advice for aspiring writers?
MW: Finish the book and write another. You can’t expect to see every book and you can’t sell what you haven’t written.

To some different ones now:
Why do you think romance readers love the Highlands?
MW: What’s not to love? It’s a beautiful place but it’s the character of the people which draws me. These men carved out a living in one of the hardest landscapes and never let it defeat them. They maintain their lore when others where trying to force them to conform.

Who is your fav Scottish person?
MW: This past summer I was in Alaska, sitting in a restored cat house when I heard one of the thickest brogues. I turned to discover an older gentleman sitting beside me and he was in fact a true Highlander. Mr. McKinney was kind enough to enchant me with tales of life in Scotland today. Yes, he plays golf and believes a cell phone would interrupt his game. For the moment, he’s my favorite Scot.

I wonder, what do Scots wear under those kilts?
MW: Old Spice. 

B: Thank you for stopping by Mary :) I am looking forward to Q's tale.

GIVEAWAY:

2 copies of Highland Hellcat

Open to US and Canada

1. Not a must, but it's always fun if you ask a question, comment on the interview, or anything you want :) Like why you love the Highlands.

2. Ends October 29th

3. if your email is not in your profile, then leave it here or email me so that I can contact you if you win.

have fun!

HIGHLAND HELLCAT BY MARY WINE—IN STORES OCTOBER 2010
“Hot enough to warm even the coldest Scottish Nights…”
—Publishers Weekly Starred Review of To Conquer a Highlander

He wants a wife he can control…
Connor Lindsey is a Highland laird, but his clan’s loyalty is hard won and he takes nothing for granted. He’ll do whatever it takes to find a virtuous wife, even if he has to kidnap her…

She has a spirit that can’t be tamed…
Brina Chattan has always defied convention. She sees no reason to be docile now that she’s been captured by a powerful laird and taken to his storm-tossed castle in the Highlands, far from her home.

When a rival laird’s interference nearly tears them apart, Connor discovers that a woman with a wild streak suits him much better than he’d ever imagined…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Wine is a multi-published author in romantic suspense, fantasy and western romance; now her interest in historical reenactment and costuming has inspired her to turn her pen to historical romance. She lives with her husband and sons in southern California, where the whole family enjoys participating in historical reenactment. For more information, please visit http://www.marywine.com/website/. 

Review: Highland Hellcat - Mary Wine

Highlander, book 2

Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 384
Published: October 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca

In the raw, rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, tumultuous times bred warrior men and women who fought for country, keep, and kin, and loved as passionately as they lived. An illegitimate son, chosen as laird after the ruling Douglas clan slaughtered his family, Connor Lindsay is surrounded by men who challenge his right to lead. Looking for a virtuous bride to cement his leadership by presenting him with an heir, he kidnaps a feisty laird’s daughter. To keep this Highland Hellcat in his bed, he’ll have to do battle with the Douglases, the Church, and most of all Brina herself.

This is book 2 in a series of highlanders, but you can just jump right in here. The hero in this book is mentioned in book 1 since he is a friend of that hero, but the couple from book 1 is not mentioned here. Only the hero that will be in book 3. So, no OCD troubles, you all know I like to talk about that.

Connor Lindsay is planned to marry Deirdre Chattan, but she has been naught and he is upset but still need the alliance but without people doubting if his children are his. So he does what every good highlander would do, kidnaps her virtuous sister that is on her way to a convent. Sparks will fly.

Yay more bride stealing business, this one should be called the bride stealing series. I do like those rugged highlanders stealing brides, but only if they are nice to them. And Connor at once see that Brina is more than just a meek woman raised to be a nun, she can hunt, and she is a hellcat. But at the same time she has learnt nothing about men, and every touch makes her skittish. But who would not melt when a handsome man in a kilt sets out to seduce her, and he is so honourable too, he wants to marry her, but it's she who says no. She has promised her father to become a nun. I do like that it's he who wants her so much, and she who wants to keep that promise.

A lot of other things are happening too, her father is upset, a daughter of his must become a bride of Christ, one sister is not happy about her upcoming marriage, there is the Deirdre scandal (and she is the heroine of book 3, I wonder if her man will steal her away). A neighbouring clan has Connor's sister captive, and he fears they will attack his lands. But mostly it is a about a woman and a man, falling in love, finding passion, and trying to figure out how they can be together.

The negative part is the trouble I have with most Scottish Highlander books, the accent, kind of wish that would be skipped.

Other than that is was a romantic, and sometimes steamy book. It goes without saying, a highlander is a devil in bed. And a hellcat, she takes some time to be tamed.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. I like her, but he, nah not at all

Final thoughts: A good story about a highlander stealing his bride.
3,50

Copy from Sourcebooks