Aloha to Nancy Lee Badger, Clan of Dragons, and SPARK

Aloha!  This morning, I borrowed the time machine from the Big Bang Theory to jump ahead in Nancy Lee Badger's CLAN OF DRAGON series - I spotlighted SMOKE, Book 2 (link), without first introducing SPARK, Book 1.  Nancy joins me again to put us on the right timeline ...

Over a decade ago, when my youngest son joined the United States Army, and took on the job of communications specialist, he got a tattoo. You have to understand that this was the first tattoo that anyone in our family had gotten, and it was a big one. A dragon covered a good portion of his back, and he was so proud of it. He was 18, and was no longer my responsibility, BUT I told him that the next time I wrote a Scottish novel filled with dragons, he would be my cover model.

Fast-foreword to 2016. I had decided to write a series called Clan of Dragons, and the time had come to take advantage of my son. He had served in Iraq, had attained the rank of Drill Sergeant, and had retired from service. However, “What momma wants, momma gets.”

Eric travels all over the country as a cell tower inspector, but when he planned to stop by to do his laundry, and share lunch with me, I suggested he bring his collection of swords and dirks (shorter blades worn at the waist.) While waiting for him to drive over from his apartment, I pulled out his dad’s Clan MacBean red and black kilt, and dug out my red wig. A sheet stapled to the deck wall made the background, and I snapped 14-15 poses. The next thing was to pick a pose that matched the theme of my story. I purchased a photo of the Black Cuillin Hills on the Scottish island of Skye, where the series is based, and used Photoshop to ‘color’ the kilt to match the purple kilt in my story. The result became the cover of SPARK, the first book in the series.

I am using other poses for the next book, SMOKE which transforms Eric into a blond wearing a green kilt, holding a dirk. He is very proud of helping me with this project, which came about because of the dragon tattoo on his back. That part is un-retouched!

A dragon by any other name would still breathe sparks.

Book Blurb for SPARK, Clan of Dragons, Book #1

What can a young dragon do to prove to his older brothers that he is their clan’s best chance to save their species? In the Black Cuillin Hills, on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, Evan heads to the village of Morhban to find a way to interact with humans. To learn their language and customs, and to get close enough to a red-haired beauty to mate with her, the brown-winged purple dragon shifts into a copper-colored horse. When his new hooves protect her from Lord Toal MacMorgan’s inappropriate demands with a well-placed kick, she thanks Evan by brushing his silky coat. Things are looking up.

When an unfamiliar horse kicks Toal into the creek, releasing Vika from his roaming hands, her appreciation turns to horror. A sputtering Toal demands that the animal die. Anger makes Vika agree to a wager. A three day hunt will determine the fate of the horse she names Spark. Failure will mean his death, and the loss of her freedom. Pirates, wolves, a wild boar, and a handsome stranger lead her on a wild ride. She discovers her heart is in as much danger as her life.

An excerpt from SPARK ...

Unfurling his wings, Evan arched his back. He flapped the thin leathery membranes, and the sun turned their normally muddy brown into the color of melted copper. He gazed at his older brothers. “I propose we head to the village, land in the forest, and watch the villagers go about their day. An idea will spark inside of me, and I shall begin me quest for a mate.”

Dougal said nothing, but nodded his huge, red-scaled head. Wynn sighed, and unfurled his snowy wings in silent agreement. They acted like they doubted he could accomplish such a feat.

Evan jumped into the air. As his wings snapped and propelled him into the morning sky, Wynn followed him. He did not look back to see if Dougal followed them. He had faith in his oldest brother to do the right thing.

Although one future had died with Cliona and her unborn bairn, Dougal was still a young two hundred and thirty-eight years, and strong. He was a mighty warrior, and he would come around, should their experiment bear fruit.

That fruit would be a bairn. Evan’s offspring. The thought of mating with anyone made Evan’s head swim, and he flapped his wings with renewed gusto, and shot even farther ahead of his brethren. Something surged through him. Something akin to hope pierced his chest, right through to his dragon heart. He had a feeling luck was on his side, and an adventure would give Dougal hope that he might find another mate. With his brothers at his back, how could he lose?

Buy Links 

Amazon 

Amazon Can 

Amazon UK 

Amazon AUS

More About the Author

Nancy Lee Badger loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, this former Army Mom moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time.

Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Association of Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers. Nancy and her family volunteer each fall at the New Hampshire Highland Games surrounded by…kilts!

Connect with Nancy Lee Badger
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Nancy is givig away a digital copy of SPARK to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. If you picked the colors for your "clan", what would they be?

2. Comments are open through Saturday, August 27, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 28. 

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Book 2 in the series ...