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| www.cometoscotland.com |
Beloved author Sandy Blair takes us further back into Scottish history when King Alexander III reigned in 1285 with THE KING'S MISTRESS. Sandy writes from the heart ... and experience. From her bio,
Award winning author Sandy Blair has slept in castles, knelt in cathedrals where kings and queens have been crowned, dined with peerage, floated along Venetian canals, explored the great pyramids, misplaced her husband in an Egyptian ruin (she continues to deny being the one lost,) and fallen (gracefully) off a cruise ship.
When not writing, Sandy dabbles with watercolors, is a charity fundraiser, and loves to entertain family and friends at home. She claims the secret to hosting a successful dinner party is setting a pretty table and serving lots of wine before the meal.
Kim: I can't resist - favorite castle where you slept?
When not writing, Sandy dabbles with watercolors, is a charity fundraiser, and loves to entertain family and friends at home. She claims the secret to hosting a successful dinner party is setting a pretty table and serving lots of wine before the meal.
Kim: I can't resist - favorite castle where you slept?
Sandy: Two immediately come to mind. Skibo Castle in northeast Scotland currently belongs to the Andrew Carnegie family and is run as a members-only hotel. The original structure, which includes the great hall, was built in the 15thcentury. Skibo has since been expanded over the centuries to include a huge Victorian era indoor swimming pool, green house and fantastic stables. Adare Manor in Kilkenny, Ireland is another favorite. An amazing place, this castle looks and feels like something out of a fairy tale.Tall mullioned windows, huge fireplaces in even the bed and bathrooms, elegant plasterwork. Better yet, the story of how it came to be is straight out of a Romance novel.
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| Skibo Castle (Wikipedia) |
Favorite cathedral? Wow, there are really too many to count. Westminster is amazing, St. Paul ’s as well. Even what remains of St. Andrews takes your breath away. While exploring the western Highlands we stumbled upon a small stone chapel. Thinking it a perfect setting for a Romance novel wedding, I begged my Scot to stop. (He’d had his fill of church tours by then, but graciously did. :)
Alone inside, we discovered an exquisite grey and white marble sarcophagus with a beautifully carved effigy in an alcove. You can imagine my surprise seeing the 6 X 10 inch sign before it reading, “Here lays Robert the Bruce...” I almost had a heart attack. Here...in this little chapel in the middle of nowhere. Spotting a painter’s ladder, I begged Scott to fetch it and then asked him to climb up and take photos from above. And bless his heart, he did. (Through later research, I learned only “part” of the Bruce was in the sarcophagus—his heart is apparently in the Jerusalem —but no matter.)
Alone inside, we discovered an exquisite grey and white marble sarcophagus with a beautifully carved effigy in an alcove. You can imagine my surprise seeing the 6 X 10 inch sign before it reading, “Here lays Robert the Bruce...” I almost had a heart attack. Here...in this little chapel in the middle of nowhere. Spotting a painter’s ladder, I begged Scott to fetch it and then asked him to climb up and take photos from above. And bless his heart, he did. (Through later research, I learned only “part” of the Bruce was in the sarcophagus—his heart is apparently in the Jerusalem —but no matter.)
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| The ruins of St. Andrew's Cathedral (Wikipedia) |
Kim: Favorite wine to serve for a successful dinner party?
Sandy: We usually serve chardonnay with grapefruit notes before dinner. During dinner, I prefer Earthquake, a full-bodied red with beef/lamb. The Scot prefers a Turley. When serving fish/pork, we both like oaky whites. That said, we both really enjoyed the pineapple wine we discovered in a little shop on the south side of Maui.
Kim: Do you have any routines to put you in Scottish mindset to write your Scottish stories?
Sandy: Daydreaming about a specific locale and my hero always puts me in the perfect frame of mind.
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| Replica of the Stone of Scone where Alexander III was crowned. |
Sandy: Thank you for asking. This story was inspired by actual events.
"The long way home could be the shortest road to ruin.”
The king of Scotland is in a snit. Which means Britt MacKinnon, proud captain of the King’s Guard, has an onerous task: fetch Alexander III’s favorite paramour back to the royal bed-now. Never mind that the crown should be about the business of begetting a legitimate heir. Especially since England ’s Edward I (Longshanks) would like nothing more than to seize an empty Scottish throne.
When the handsome soldier appears on her doorstep, Geneen Armstrong has to think quickly. Her twin lies abed in her vottage, pregnant with the king’s bastard. If their barren queen learns of the truth, the foolish girl’s life won’t be worth a farthing.
Geneen must somehow transform her graceless plain self into her vivacious, talented sister. Then, after the court is convinced she carries no child, sour the king’s taste for her sister’s company—for good.
By the time Britt realizes the usually articulate, ungodly stubborn woman is the wrong woman, tendrils of attraction have already tightened into a bond. A bond that will be tested when the king’s unexpected death puts Scotland ’s very destiny at stake—and unleashes an ever-entangling web of court intrigue, secrets...and lies.
"The long way home could be the shortest road to ruin.”
The king of Scotland is in a snit. Which means Britt MacKinnon, proud captain of the King’s Guard, has an onerous task: fetch Alexander III’s favorite paramour back to the royal bed-now. Never mind that the crown should be about the business of begetting a legitimate heir. Especially since England ’s Edward I (Longshanks) would like nothing more than to seize an empty Scottish throne.
When the handsome soldier appears on her doorstep, Geneen Armstrong has to think quickly. Her twin lies abed in her vottage, pregnant with the king’s bastard. If their barren queen learns of the truth, the foolish girl’s life won’t be worth a farthing.
Geneen must somehow transform her graceless plain self into her vivacious, talented sister. Then, after the court is convinced she carries no child, sour the king’s taste for her sister’s company—for good.
By the time Britt realizes the usually articulate, ungodly stubborn woman is the wrong woman, tendrils of attraction have already tightened into a bond. A bond that will be tested when the king’s unexpected death puts Scotland ’s very destiny at stake—and unleashes an ever-entangling web of court intrigue, secrets...and lies.
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| THE KING'S MISTRESS opens in Edinburgh Castle (Wikipedia) |
Kim: What's next for Sandy Blair?
Sandy: The Laird, book #1 in the Castle Blackstone series, is coming out in October in both print and e-book. :)
Mahalo, Sandy, for joining us today at SOS Aloha! Sandy is giving away a copy of THE KING'S MISTRESS - winner's choice of format - to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about a famous place you would like to spend the night - a castle? a chateaux? a chalet? The White House?
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, September 22, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 23 - H50's premiere on Waikiki Beach!
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Sandy and her books, check out her website at sandyblair.net.
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| Sandy at RWA's "Readers for Life" Book Signing |
Oh, that book sounds so good! I like when they are based on fact (even loosely) and what a beautiful cover that would definitely have me picking up the book.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to see the pyramids & the Sphinx in Egypt. I think the Agatha Christie books have a lot to do with this.
ReplyDeleteSkibo Castle looks amazing. I would love to sleep there.
ReplyDeleteWell I've heard castles are really drafty so I think I would love to spend the night in a chateaux in the south of France. Just because of the history that might come with the it.
ReplyDeleteHi Catslady,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment on the cover. I love it as well, and hope you have an opportunity to read The King's Mistress.
Hi Marybelle,
We were very fortunate to go to Egypt when we did. I wouldn't care to go now, with all the political unrest.
Hi Debby,
Skibo is amazing. (The beds are comfy too :)Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Danielle,
Since we always travel in summer I can't comment on drafts but a stay in a French chateaux does sound divine. Imagine all the great food and wine you could enjoy!
Hey, Sandy:
ReplyDeleteI'm actually going to be in Scotland in two weeks. Anything that's a "must see" for a first timer?
Liese
Hi Liese,
ReplyDeleteAll of it! :)
Hey Sandy and Howdy from big D.
ReplyDeleteLoved The King's Mistress and happy that a new Sandy Blair book is coming out really soon. Keep 'em coming.
Thanks for such a fun post and I've got to say that I love the cover. This book hit my radar a while back and I've been lusting after it ever since :)
ReplyDeleteUmmm... I would love to spend a night in any scottish castle!
Well, after reading this post, I'm primed for a night at Skibo Castle. Sandy's book sound wonderful. I look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a very interesting and enlightening post. I haven't read anything by you (yet), but this has definitely peaked my interest. If I had the choice, I would love to spend a night in a castle. I don't care if they cold or drafty.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover art.
I think a chalet looks cozy, warm and a nice place stay not just for a night but many nights. :D
ReplyDeleteThe question wasn't up when I first replied so am going to say I would love to spend the night in a Scottish castle - ghosts are welcome - especially if it's a Highlander :)
ReplyDeleteI don't believe I've red about this period in Scottish history. I love it when I learn things while also reading a good love story. I'd love to spend a night any place out of the ordinary like those places you've described - what fun that would be!
ReplyDeleteThe only castles I've seen were wrecks and "drafty" would be the polite way to describe a night in one of them. I'd take a night a snug inn! One near the seaside, of course.
ReplyDeleteHey, Sandy--you didn't mention that you'll be gaining some Italian readers soon.
I know of the castles in Scotland and would love to visit there someday.
ReplyDeleteI would like to visit a chalet. They sound much nicer than castles!
ReplyDeleteA chalet sounds much nicer to me than a castle!
ReplyDeleteInteresting interview. I used to get bored with all the old buildings and castles in England (lots of school trips) but I miss them now I live in Texas.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I'd love to read this. I don't have a specific castle I'd want to say in but I'd love to stay in one.
ReplyDeleteI would love to spend the night in a castle in Scotland, that would be a dream come true.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! I would love to visit Scotland someday and it is definitely on my bucket list. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I would visit any castles that I could while I was there, but Urquhart Castle is very intriguing to me and it is right on the banks of Loch Ness.
I adore Scottish stories and this one sounds like a fabulous read!
Congrats on your upcoming release, Sandy! :)
Hi Sandy! Loved the post! I'd love to spend the night in a castle. Not sure which one. Guess I'm not really picky. I loved the King's Mistress and am looking forward to your next release!
ReplyDeleteTake care!
I'd like to visit a castle.
ReplyDeleteI can't just choose one. Dunstaffnage Castle, Caerlaverock Castle, Tantallon Castle, Crichton Castle, Craigie Castle, and of course Loch Leven Castle and Sterling. I don't want a nice comfy stay. I want to be able to sit awake all night trying to "hear" the past. Any of these places would do. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance in the giveaway! I've been drooling over this one :)
If I had the chance at Sterling I would need a few nights. I can see myself pitching a blanket in the fields trying to feel the past, after I had my night inside.
DeleteSkibo Castle sounds wonderful. I would love to visit Scotland and visit all the wonderful places there.
ReplyDeleteSandy, I have been wanting to read The King's Mistress for quite a while. I love the cover and the book sounds wonderful.
A chardonnay with grapefruit notes? Sounds yummy, what is the name of it? Though I love a good red, and Earthquake would be sure to be to my liking. It is fun to try new varietys.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of Skibo Castle is amazing, and I would stay there in a heartbeat! I can only think of what it would feel like to see it in person, feel the history. Sounds like The King's Mistress will make me feel the history as well.