In the Pink with Avon Romance - Lyons, Witches, and Curses, Oh My!

Follow the cobblestone road to Glenfinnan where Cathy Maxwell's THE SCOTTISH WITCH unfolds with a witch's curse, a desperate brother, a curious lover, and a surprise ally:

When a Chattan male falls in love, strike his heart with fire from above . . .

Portia Maclean believes she is beyond love and marriage. Then one moonlit night, while attempting a daring masquerade in a desperate bid to protect her family, she finds herself swept off her feet by a powerful stranger. But what will he do once he discovers she has betrayed him?

Harry Chattan is fighting for his family. For two hundred years the Chattan men have been destroyed by love . . . and now he's come to Scotland on the hunt for a witch to break the curse. Instead he finds himself bewitched by Portia. Harry has vowed to fight the demons that torture him.

But will that battle destroy her as well?

We first met Harry, an alcoholic womanizer, in LYON'S BRIDE.   He was inspired by his brother's belief that love was worth the risk to find the Scottish witch to reverse the curse.    The story takes place in the Regency Era - a relatively modern time in Scottish history.  Yet superstition still influenced every day life, particularly in the small villages such as Glenfinnan.    Consider this folklore from Alistair Briggs (at this link),

It is bad luck to:

- See a pig on the way to your wedding.
- Take pigs on fishing boats.
- Cross two knifes on a table.

It is good luck to:

- Have a rowan tree outside your house to keep witches away.- Touch iron if you see or even hear evil.
- Wear a sprig of white heather.

Glenfinnan

Hawaii has its own superstitions - most center around the Volcano Goddess, Pele:

- do not take home any pieces of lava; you are taking a part of Pele away from her beloved Hawaii.  It is illegal do so from the perspective that lava is a limited resource and it may contain bugs that could contaminate your area.

- do not carry pork over the Pali Highway.   The Pali divides Oahu into windward, where Pele visits, and leeward, where she banished her spurned lover, a man-pig.   Hence, bringing pork from the leeward to windward violates her edict.

Even H50 opens each season with a blessing
cbs.com

For good luck, always start with a Hawaiian blessing.   The US Navy learned the hard way.  From Hawaii History (at this link),

In 1909, work to build a drydock began over caves Hawaiians believed were home to a shark goddess. The drydock was nearly finished when it collapsed. Workmen clearing debris found the skeleton of a large shark in the foundation, after which Hawaiians advised that a kahuna priest cleanse the area with prayers and ritual offerings. After this was done, there were no further problems with the project. 

When it comes to dealing with Madame Pele, the Hawaiians turn to their ali'i (chiefs).   From Hawaii Alive (at this link),

When Madame Pele threatened the town of Hilo with a voracious lava flow in 1881, the people asked Ke‘elikōlani to intercede [she was the granddaugher of King Kamehameha I].  Ke‘elikōlani offered traditional oli (chants) and ho‘okupu (tribute) to Pele and later reportedly camped at the foot of the flow. The flow stopped just short of town.

Madame Pele devours all in her path.

There is something about Hawaii, and Scotland, that makes it easy to believe the supersitions ... and curses!   Cathy Maxwell will have you believing, too, with THE SCOTTISH WITCH!   I posted my review on SOS Aloha (link), Amazon (link), and Goodreads (link).   I am giving away a special Lyons, Witches, and Curses gift pack:

- print copy of LYON'S BRIDE

- print copy of THE SCOTTISH WITCH

- tote bag from Cathy Maxwell

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about superstitions from your part of the world.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 3, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 4.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Cathy and her books, check out her website at cathymaxwell.com.

To increase your chance of winning, check out these blogs who are also featuring Cathy and giving away THE SCOTTISH WITCH:

- Ramblings From This Chick at this link.

- Romantic Crush Junkies at this link.

- The Reading Reviewer at this link.

- The Romance Dish at this link.

Book Review - THE SCOTTISH WITCH by Cathy Maxwell

The course of true love never did run smooth – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 1, Scene 2

Cathy Maxwell’s THE SCOTTISH WITCH is Book Two in the Chattan Curse series. The series focuses on a 17th century curse cast by a Scottish witch, Finella, on the Chattan family,

When a Chattan male falls in love,
strike his heart with fire from Above.

Book 1, LYON’S BRIDE, introduces us to the Chattan Family in the Regency Era - Neal, Harry, and Margaret. Neal, Lord Lyon, wants children, so he seeks a bride he cannot love. He falls in love with his matchmaker and falls ill from the curse. Inspired by his brother's love, Harry sets out to save his brother in Book 2, THE SCOTTISH WITCH.

Hear my soul speak. Of the very instant that I saw you, Did my heart fly at your service - The Tempest, Act 3, Scene 1

Maxwell provides readers new to the series with another prologue (different from LYON'S BRIDE) to join Harry in his desperate mission. He travels to Scotland to search for a witch to reverse the curse, leading him to Portia Maclean. Like Harry, Portia has Scottish blood but lived in England. Like Harry, she came to Scotland to save her family. Like Harry, she feels romantic love has no room in her heart. When they first meet, with Portia in disguise as a witch, they feel a mutual bond. In their second meeting, at the Christmas assembly, they feel a mutual attraction. As they engage in a passionate affair, they inadvertently open their hearts to the other … but also to the curse. They feel Finella’s wrath surrounding them .... but they find an unexpected ally.

My picture of Glenfinnan.

Doubt that the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move his aides, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love – Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2

Maxwell steps outside the Regency Ballroom with the “paranormal elements” akin to Shakespeare’s MacBeth. I applaud her for setting THE SCOTTISH WITCH in Glenfinnan – oh, the symbolism! Glenfinnan is where Bonnie Prince Charlie returned to Scotland to reclaim the throne ... and Glenfinnan is where Colonel Harry Chattan returns to his ancestor’s crime to reclaim his brother's life.   The Glenfinnan Viaduct delivered Harry Potter aboard Hogwart’s Express to his destiny … and Glenfinnan delivers Harry to his destiny with Portia. I have walked through Glenfinnan, traveled over the viaduct, and scoured the Highlands in search of crumbling castles – Maxwell’s storytelling took me back to this beloved vacation. 

Glenfinnan Viaduct
Image by Nicolas Benutzer via Wikipedia

A heart to love, and in that heart, Courage, to make’s love known - MacBeth, Act 2, Scene 3

Maxwell is known for her heartfelt characters and she delivers in THE SCOTTISH WITCH. Readers will sympathize with sweet sisters Portia and Minera; hiss at the selfish gentry Lady Maclean and Lady Emma; and cheer for the hapless dog loving General.  Harry is the pièce de résistance with his transformation from the alcoholic womanizer to the desperate brother begging for Neal’s life – a scene that I will never forget. Or as a lovestuck rogue bursting through the church door to ... oh, you have to read the book yourself.   I also applaud Maxwell for subtly addressing social issues of addiction, loneliness, and post traumatic stress of war weary veterans.

Thank you, Cathy, for reminding us that love is everlasting!

I received a print copy of THE SCOTTISH WITCH from Avon for this review.

My picture of Loch Ness

Aloha to Sabrina Jeffries and 'TWAS THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS

I squealed with delight when Sabrina Jeffries' 'TWAS THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS arrived in the mail for me to review:

Dear Sir,

. . . I feel I should inform you that your mother is very ill. If you wish to see her before it is too late, you should come at once.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Camilla Stuart

Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, has led an unabashed rogue’s life, letting no woman near his heart. Inexplicably abandoned as a child to be raised by distant relatives, he never forgave his parents, refusing to read any of his mother’s letters after his father’s death. Then came a letter that shook his resolve. A Christmas visit to Montcliff might prove his last chance to discover the truth of his past, and come to terms with the stranger he calls “Mother.”

But two surprises await him at Montcliff. His mother is perfectly healthy, nowhere near a deathbed, as her meddling lady’s companion led him to believe. The second is Camilla Stuart herself, a lively vicar’s widow, too bright and beautiful not to arouse the scoundrel in Pierce. Though she alone is reason enough to prolong his stay, he is soon faced with other tantalizing riddles: What secrets lie in his mother’s past to explain his childhood abandonment? Why is the captivating Mrs. Stuart so determined to mend the breach between mother and son? Meanwhile,  Camilla herself is caught up in love’s complications since the arrival of the irresistible earl. As his bold flirtation and suggestive whispers draw her dangerously close, can anything protect her vulnerable heart? If they are destined to share real happiness, there must be honesty between them—yet telling him the truth about her own life may shatter that chance.
None of them can predict the startling revelations to come. Or the secrets, both heartening and shocking, divulged between a mother and son, and between two lovers haunted by their respective pasts, that will make Christmas night at Montcliff one to remember—and the glorious night after, one to treasure for a lifetime.

Image from Wikipedia, citing the Projet Guetenberg (link)

When I posted my review on Goodreads (at this link), I noticed LSUReader rated it with four stars.  I invited LSUReader to join me in a "dueling" review.   Today, I answer her questions ... and later this week, she'll answer mine!

LSUReader:  Forgiveness is a central theme in the book. At times, I doubted the characters could fully be redeemed. How did you view the prevalence of so much painful distrust and deception by so many characters? 

Kim:  The book blurb references two surprises for Pierce at the Dowager House.  There was at least another ... and the days spent with those three surprises lead to a fourth.  I am being vague to not spoil the story for other readers.  As you noted, forgiveness is the theme, so there has to be a conflict.  Sabrina tapped into the "norms" of the Regency era and the customs of titled families to create that conflict - fear of scandal, security, and reputation - that rocked the three central characters.  Sabrina excelled at drawing me into that fear while still making it a lighthearted, even heartfelt, story set during the holiday season.

Berrington Hall in Herefordshire
Image from Prichardson, released to public domain (Wikipedia)
Pierce's estate lies in Herefordshire.

LSUReader:  Hero Pierce Waverly was introduced in Sabrina's Hellions of Halstead Hall series, and several of those characters briefly appear in TTNAC. If you read that series, how did your earlier "acquaintance" with Pierce influence your view of him here? If this was your first introduction to him, does it encourage you to read the earlier series?

Kim:  Pierce appears in 2 of the five books in the Hellions of Hallstead Series.  I read the other three, so I was not familiar with Pierce.   He could have been the garden variety Regency rake in those two books, but he is not in 'TWAS THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS.   Pierce could spend days on Freud's couch, analyzing why he pursues the image of carefree womanizer when he is, privately, a thoughtful man who indulges in the pinafore.   Pierce does inspire me to read the two books I missed from the series - I'd like to see him "in action" as the roving rogue.

TWO STRINGS TO HER BOW by John Pettie
Image from Wikipedia/Public Domain

LSUReader:  It was nice to see so many supporting characters fully fleshed out--the staff of the dowager house, estate manager Mr. Fowler, Mr. Manton the investigator--who was your favorite among them and why?

Kim:  Sabrina takes on the mantle that it takes a village, a country village, to tell a story, especially one of forgiveness.  Supporting characters add dimension to the circumstances and keep the hero/heroine honest of their feelings.   I chuckled at the "competition" between the staff of the dowager house and Pierce's household; it reminded me of Upstairs/Downstairs and even Downton Abbey.   Mr. Manton was a surprising warm character in the last quarter of the book, especially in light of his connection to Pierce's youth.   But I was cheering for Mr. Fowler to be appreciated by Piece and noticed by .... I won't tell.  You have to read the book!   Mr. Fowler was a dedicated employee who did not judge Pierce or his mother.   He was honest and forthright with the staff, including Camilla.  In the end, he wasn't as stern as the dowager's staff thought he was.

The Dower House at Dean Castle in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire
Image by Roger Griffith, released to public domain (Wikipedia)

Mahalo, LSUReader, for your questions!  I look forward to your answers!  'TWAS THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS will be available on Tuesday, October 30.  Check out Sabrina's website (at this link) for the synopsis, excerpt, scoop, accolades, and links to purchase.  I am giving away a special prize today to celebrate its release - a Hawaiian holiday tote bag 3 titles from the Hellions of Halstead Hall series:

- THE TRUTH ABOUT LORD STONEVILLE

- HOW TO WOO A RELUCTANT LADY

- TO WED A WILD LORD

To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment holiday shopping - do you prefer Christmas fairs, shopping malls, or catalogues?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 3, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 4.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Make sure you visit Sabrina's website, sabrinajeffries.com, for fun tidbits!

Four from the Goddess Blogs (at this link):
Suzanne Enoch, Julia London, Sabrina Jeffries, and Karen Hawkins
RWA Librarian Day 2012

In the Pink with Avon Romance - Harry to the Rescue, A Preview of Cathy Maxwell's THE SCOTTISH WITCH

We are six days and counting 'til Avon Romance publishes Cathy Maxwell's THE SCOTTISH WITCH.  The hero, Colonel Harry Chattan, is the younger brother of Lord Lyon.   The spare.   I was curious about other Harrys who emerged from their brothers' shadows to save the day ...

Berry Pomoroy Castle - a connection to King Henry VIII

Henry VIII:  From the Official Website of the British Monarchy (at this link),

Henry VIII was born at Greenwich on 28 June 1491, the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. He became heir to the throne on the death of his elder brother, Prince Arthur, in 1502 and succeeded in 1509. 

Henry also invested in the navy, and increased its size from 5 to 53 ships (including the Mary Rose, the remains of which lie in the Portsmouth Naval Museum).

"Harry" is considered the father of the English Navy, which would rule the seas for four more centuries.   His obsession with fathering a male heir lead to England's separation from the Catholic Church and fueled the Protestant Reformation across Europe.   He eclipsed his dead brother in promoting England as a European power and a center of culture.

English Navy in Tudor Times

Harry S. Truman:  From the White House website (at this link),

During his few weeks as Vice President, Harry S. Truman scarcely saw President Roosevelt, and received no briefing on the development of the atomic bomb or the unfolding difficulties with Soviet Russia. Suddenly these and a host of other wartime problems became Truman's to solve when, on April 12, 1945, he became President. He told reporters, "I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me."

Having served as a captain in the Field Artillery during WWI, Harry knew the cost of war.  His presidency saw four major actions to promote peace:  the creation of the United Nations; the atomic bombing of Japan; the creation of NATO; and the UN's collective response to the Korean crisis.   Harry emerged from Roosevelt's legacy to establish his own.

The Might Mo, named for Truman's home state,
hosted the Japanese surrendered to end WWII.

Prince Henry, the second son of Prince Charles, known as Prince Harry:  From the Official Website of the British Monarchy (at this link),

Prince Harry joined the Household Cavalry, and served in Afghanistan for more than two months from the end of 2007 to early 2008. He is now training to be a helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps.

Prince Harry supports WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED
walkingwiththewounded.org.uk

Ah, Prince Harry!  He shares many honors (Army) and vices (women) with Colonel Harry Chattan in Book One of the Chattan Curse, LYON'S BRIDE:

"When a Chattan male falls in love, strike his heart with fire from above..."

They call him Lord Lyon, proud, determined— and cursed. He is in need of a bride, but if he falls in love, he dies. His fervent hope is that by marrying— and having a son—without love, perhaps he can break the curse's chains forever.

Enter beautiful Thea Martin—a duke's headstrong, errant daughter and society's most brilliant matchmaker. Years ago, she and Lyon were inseparable, until he disappeared from her life without a word. Now she is charged with finding Lyon's bride—a woman he cannot love for a man Thea could love too well.

My picture of Glenfinnan - the setting for
THE SCOTTISH WITCH

In the end of LYON'S BRIDE, Harry steps out of his brother's care and searches for THE SCOTTISH WITCH:

When a Chattan male falls in love, strike his heart with fire from above . . .

Portia Maclean believes she is beyond love and marriage. Then one moonlit night, while attempting a daring masquerade in a desperate bid to protect her family, she finds herself swept off her feet by a powerful stranger. But what will he do once he discovers she has betrayed him?

Harry Chattan is fighting for his family. For two hundred years the Chattan men have been destroyed by love . . . and now he's come to Scotland on the hunt for a witch to break the curse. Instead he finds himself bewitched by Portia. Harry has vowed to fight the demons that torture him.

But will that battle destroy her as well?

I am giving away a copy of LYON'S BRIDE to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your favorite Harry - any of the above?  Or another Harry?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 27, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 29.

Come back on Wednesday, October 31,  to celebrate the release of THE SCOTTISH WITCH with a special giveaway!

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Cathy and her books, check out her website at cathymaxwell.com.

To learn more about the Mighty Mo, check out my photos on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND, at this link, link, link, and link.

Two brothers .... Harry and William?
Colonel Chattan and Lord Lyon?
It's David and Andrew!