Aloha to St. Andrews Day ... with giveaway!

Glenfinnan  Monument

November 30 is St. Andrew's Day, the patron saint of Scotland. How about a few Scottish proverbs to celebrate this day?

A good tale never tires in the telling.

A misty morning may become a clear day.

Be slow in choosing a friend but slower in changing him.

Better bend than break.

Choose your wife with her nightcap on!

Danger and delight grow on one stalk.

Egotism is an alphabet of one letter.

Friends are lost by calling often and calling seldom.

From saving comes having.

Learn young, learn fair; learn old, learn more.

Never draw your dirk when a blow will do it.

To marry is to halve your rights and double your duties.

Twelve highlanders and a bagpipe make a rebellion.

I am giving away a box of Scottish historical romances:

Kathleen Harrington's THE MACLEAN GROOM

Stephanie Laurens' A MATCH FOR MARCUS CYNSTER

Margaret Mallory's KNIGHT OF DESIRE

Mia Marlowe's ONCE UPON A PLAID

Cathy Maxwell's THE DEVIL'S HEART

Paula Quinn's THE TAMING OF MALCOLM GRANT

plus a leather bookmark from Edinburgh Castle!

To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about Scotland - what do you love about it?

2. Comments are open through Sunday, December 4, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, December 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Urquhart Castle

Aloha to Stephanie Laurens and BY WINTER'S LIGHT

Fan favorite Stephanie Laurens returns to romantic Scotland to usher in a new generation of Cynsters in an enchanting tale of mistletoe, magic, and love. 

It’s December 1837, and the young adults of the Cynster clan have succeeded in having the family Christmas celebration held at snow-bound Casphairn Manor, Richard and Catriona Cynster’s home. Led by Sebastian, Marquess of Earith, and by Lucilla, future Lady of the Vale, and her twin brother, Marcus, the upcoming generation has their own plans for the holiday season.

Yet where Cynsters gather, love is never far behind—the festive occasion brings together Daniel Crosbie, tutor to Lucifer Cynster’s sons, and Claire Meadows, widow and governess to Gabriel Cynster’s daughter. Daniel and Claire have met before and the embers of an unexpected passion smolder between them, but once bitten, twice shy, Claire believes a second marriage is not in her stars. Daniel, however, is determined to press his suit. He’s seen the love the Cynsters share, and Claire is the lady with whom he dreams of sharing his life. Assisted by a bevy of Cynsters—innate matchmakers every one—Daniel strives to persuade Claire that trusting him with her hand and her heart is her right path to happiness.

Meanwhile, out riding on Christmas Eve, the young adults of the Cynster clan respond to a plea for help. Summoned to a humble dwelling in ruggedly forested mountains, Lucilla is called on to help with the difficult birth of a child, while the others rise to the challenge of helping her. With a violent storm closing in and severely limited options, the next generation of Cynsters face their first collective test—can they save this mother and child? And themselves, too?

Back at the manor, Claire is increasingly drawn to Daniel and despite her misgivings, against the backdrop of the ongoing festivities their relationship deepens. Yet she remains torn—until catastrophe strikes, and by winter’s light, she learns that love—true love—is worth any risk, any price.

A tale brimming with all the magical delights of a Scottish festive season.

Amazon: link
B&N: link
ibooks: link

No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens began writing romances as an escape from the dry world of professional science. Her hobby quickly became a career when her first novel was accepted for publication, and with entirely becoming alacrity, she gave up writing about facts in favor of writing fiction.

Laurens' novels are set in the time period of the British Regency, and her settings range from Scotland to India. Laurens has published fifty works of historical romance, including 29 New York Times bestsellers. All her works are continuously available in print and digital formats in English worldwide, and have been translated into many other languages. An international bestseller, among other accolades Laurens has received the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA Award for Best Romance Novella 2008, for The Fall of Rogue Gerrard.

Her continuing novels featuring the Cynster family are widely regarded as classics of the genre. Other series include the Bastion Club Novels and the Black Cobra Quartet. For information on upcoming releases and updates on novels yet to come, visit Stephanie's website. 

stephanielaurens.com

facebook.com/AuthorStephanieLaurens
Goodreads: link

Ho'omaika'i 'ana (congratulation), Stephanie, on continuing the Cynster family is Scotland. Sigh. Alba. I am giving away Scottish swag, including a leather book mark from the castle of your choice. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about big families - what do you love about them in real life or in fiction?

2. Comments are open through Saturday, November 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

I met Stephanie (right) at RWA/11 in New York City.