Alohat Mia Marlowe and ONCE UPON A PLAID

Mia Marlowe is celebrating the release of ONCE UPON A PLAID,  a Medieval Highlander romance laced with holiday spirit from her Spirit of the Highlands series ...

Many would count Katherine Douglas fortunate indeed. Laird William Douglas is broad-shouldered, gentle-handed, everything a lass could dream. But after four years of marriage, Katherine still knows little of what goes on in his heart. And she has yet to bear him an heir. The distance between them is too great—and so she flees over the snowy highlands to Glengarry Castle, home of her childhood, to set her husband free.

But William won’t let his wife slip away without a fight. Before long, he’s at her father’s threshold himself, witness to the rumbles of discontent in Glengarry, the bright joy of Yuletide at a family hearth, and the hidden needs of his own beloved…

My mother recently returned from a trip to the UK, including Scotland, bringing back bookmarks for me to giveaway.  One randomly commenter wins a choice of bookmark!  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a special holiday tradition in your family (commenter's choice of holiday).

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 11, 10 pm in Baltimore. 

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Mia and her books at miamarlowe.com. 

Check out my review of PLAID TIDINGS, Book 1 in the series, at this link.

Aloha to Mia Marlowe and PLAID TIDINGS - Review and Giveaway

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. - John Muir, Scottish American founder of The Sierra Club

This is an apt quote to kick off my review of Mia Marlowe's PLAID TIDINGS, Book 1 of Spirit of the Highlands:

Christmas in the Highlands...

Not any dashing English lord’s idea of a good time. But now that Lord Alexander Mallory has won a Scottish estate in a hand of cards, he is the unlikely laird of the wild, snowy Bonniebroch. Worse yet, the ancient pile of stones comes with a betrothal. To a fiery red-headed virgin. And a curse.

Alex will have his hands full honoring the first, seducing the second and breaking the third … all by Twelfth Night.

Bonnie is pretty; broch is tower.
Craigievar Castle could be Bonniebroch!

PLAID TIDINGS is one of the best books of 2013 ... 

1.  Marlowe delivers the majesty of Scotland - her customs, her people, and her landscape can't help but serve up a romantic backdrop for two unexpected lovers across different borders.

2.  PLAID TIDINGS allowed me to cuddle up for a holiday adventure.  Yet  PLAID TIDINGS is an endearing story that would be a great read anytime of the year ... including a summer fling in the Highlands!

3.  Marlowe incorporates the pageantry of the Regency Era ... Scottish Style! 

4.  Alexander is honorable yet conflicted.  Lucinda is determined but pragmatic.   As they clash with each other, the reader is treated to the Alexander's wit, Lucinda's warmth, and their ignited passion.

5.  Marlowe captures the mystique of Scotland with the spirits who interact with Alexander and Lucinda.   Their good intentions add a lighthearted paranormal element to PLAID TIDINGS.  And it is the ethereal beings who inspire Alexander and Lucinda to climb the mountains and find their good tidings!

The Highlands

I received an ARC from Marlowe for this review.  I posted this review on Amazon (link) and Goodreads (link).  I am giving away a print copy of PLAID TIDINGS to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about mountains - do you have a favorite mountain?   I felt a real connection with the Wai'anae Mountains - I enjoyed the view every morning during my walk along the Pearl Harbor channel.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 12, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 13.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Mia and her books, including the prequel novella PLAID TO THE BONE, check out her website at miamarlowe.com.

For more kilted men, check out my pictures from the Maryland Renaissance Festival at this link and link.

Aloha to Mia Marlowe and PLAID TO THE BONE

This morning, Twitter teased me with a tweet from Historic Scotland:

Historic Scotland ‏@welovehistory

Let our Rangers take you on a guided walk from Blackness Castle to Hopetoun House. (Free event, booking required) http://ow.ly/okQgg 

And the details:

As part of West Lothian Walking Week, Rangers from Historic Scotland and Hopetoun House will be leading a guided walk. Beginning at Blackness Castle and heading to Wester Shore Wood to Hopetoun House by Abercorn Church this will be roughly 5 miles long, return transport will be provided.

Many points of interest will be highlighted along the way including cultural and natural heritage.

Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle is a 15th century castle guarding the Firth of Forth and the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow.    From its website (link),

In 1537, James V (1513–42) embarked on an ambitious programme to convert the 15th-century castle into a formidable artillery fortification. The looming threat from Henry VIII’s Protestant England was the catalyst. The work was completed in 1543, just as the ‘Wars of the Rough Wooing’ were about to erupt.

School children volunteer at Linlithgow Palace -
James V's birthplace and residence.

Ah, the rough wooing ... historical author Mia Marlowe features another "rough wooing" earlier in James V's reign in her novella, PLAID TO THE BONE:

A Bride Comes to Bonniebroch

But Cait Grant is hardly dreaming of wedded bliss. As a duty to her father, she must marry Adam Cameron, laird of Bonniebroch. And then, because of a blood oath to her clan, she must murder him. . .

If only her new husband weren’t so devilishly handsome. If only she didn’t have to play the loving wife for one long, languorous month. If only she didn’t surrender to his softly sensual touch, she would be able to fulfill her oath. If only she didn’t fall in love. . .

Marlowe delivers her trademark humor in this enchanting novella. PLAID TO THE BONE features all that I love about Scotland - pride, loyalty, and love.   This is a must read for all Albaphiles.  PLAID TO THE BONE is a prelude to a new series, SPIRIT OF THE HIGHLANDS.  Book One, PLAID TIDINGS, will be available on October 1 (link).

I am giving away an ecopy of PLAID TO THE BONE to one randomly selected commenter.   To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a "historical walk" you would recommend from your hometown or somewhere you have visited.

My first assignment in the Air Force took me to Boston, where I soaked up Colonial Historical along the walk from Fanueil Hall to the Old North Church.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, September 21, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

To learn more about Mia and her books, check out her website at miamarlowe.com.  You can follow Mia on Twitter @Mia_Marlowe.

Plaid to the bone, indeed!