Today
it’s my pleasure to feature Trial of a Warrior, Legends of the Fenian Warriors,
Book Three by Mary Morgan. Enjoy the festivities as Mary whisks you away to 13th century
Scotland for a Midwinter’s feast and shares a scrumptious holiday recipe!
Genre: Time-Travel Fantasy Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Date of Publication: December 12, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5092-2359-6
ASIN: B07JGMH8XS
Number of pages: 386
Word Count: 92628
Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor
Will the burning
embers of their past love spark a reunion or destroy a future?
Book Description
"You
met them in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the
Fae and witness their legends!”
A
warrior sentenced to die.
On
trial for breaking a supreme Fae law, Fenian Warrior, Liam MacGregor has no
regrets. He is prepared to accept his sentence—even if it means his death.
However, freedom comes in an unexpected manner, and brings with it certain
dangers as he travels through the Veil of Ages.
A
princess honor-bound to remain hidden.
Princess
Abela might be a priestess and the daughter of royalty, but that doesn’t
prevent her from doing the unimaginable. She sacrifices duty and honor to set
free the man who captured her heart so many years ago. No matter the severity
of his crimes, she cannot let Liam die.
A
rescue that will bring about a war and divide a kingdom!
In
their quest to secure a treaty to forestall Liam’s death sentence, they must
fight their desires for one another, as well as the Fenian Warriors sent to
capture them.
Let’s hear from Mary…
Come
journey with me as I whisk you away to 13th century Scotland for a Midwinter’s
feast. We shall arrive at Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness. This is
the home of the Clan MacKay—the Dragon Knights. Their bloodline is steeped in
ancient Celtic mythology. Though they respect the new religion that has swept
across their land, the Dragon Knights continue to honor the old ways. Midwinter
is a celebration of light and warmth here within the walls. The doors have been
left open for all to enter in peace. Once you step inside, you are drawn to the
holly boughs with ivy, bay, crimson-berried yew and fragrant bunches of
rosemary.
The
torches cast a welcoming light as you proceed onward. As we enter the Great
Hall, you are met with boisterous laughter and gaiety. A bard is recanting the
tale between the aging Holly King (representing the darkness of the old year),
and the young Oak King (symbolizing the light of the New Year). Some of the
older lasses have chosen to weave a sprig of holly onto their gowns and they
nod at you in passing.
Candles
illuminate the hall in a soft glow as you make your way toward the feasting
tables. The Dragon Knights and their wives are seated at a longer table near
the hearth. Ale and mead are flowing, along with the tempting dishes you survey
as you take your place. You are tempted by the trencher of wild boar stuffed
with onions and cabbages to your right. Or maybe you would prefer the spiced
apples and damson tarts.
Afterwards,
the minstrels begin to play a lively tune and a few of the couples grasped
hands to join in the merriment.
Modern-day Version of the Recipe for
Damson Tarts
PLUM TARTS aka…DAMSON TARTS***
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup finely chopped almonds
3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks),
cut into small pieces
1 egg yolk
2 pounds firm, ripe plums, pitted and quartered
lengthwise
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Combine the flour, almonds, and sugar in a large
bowl. Add the butter and the egg yolk. Mix by hand or with an electric mixer,
until crumbly.
Press 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture in an even
layer into the bottom of a 9 1/2-inch springform or tart pan. Arrange the plums
in the pan, skin side down to form a flower pattern; begin at the outside and
work your way in.
Sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture evenly over
the plums. Bake the tart for 40 to 50 minutes, or until it’s lightly browned
and the plum juices are bubbling. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes.
Remove from pan and transfer tart to flat plate.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
***Damson: A small fruit with vibrant, dark blue
skin and a strong sour flavor. Damsons are similar to plums. They have a large
stone (pit) and are often juicy, but tend not to be eaten raw due to the
tartness of their flesh.
A
tremor of longing to be kissed filled Abela. She should flee this instant, but
her feet refused to listen to her mind.
Liam
reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. His finger trailed down the
side of her neck, and she shuddered. “You have not answered me.”
“Yes,”
she replied rapidly.
The
smile in his eyes contained a sensuous flame, and she was drawn to him. A soft
breeze billowed around them. She ached to press her mouth against his. Just one
kiss.
As
if reading her thoughts, Liam cupped her chin and stroked his thumb over her
bottom lip. “Your mouth begs to be kissed, princess.”
She
swallowed and did the unthinkable. “Then kiss me, Liam MacGregor.”
His
groan echoed around them as he took possession of her mouth. The kiss sent the
pit of her stomach into a wild swirl of delicious sensations. Abela’s body
yearned to touch him, so she wrapped her arms around his neck. The contact of
his skin against her chest ignited a burning desire for more.
Liam
grasped her firmly around the waist with one arm and deepened the kiss. When
his silken tongue sought entry, she opened fully to the seduction, tasting
wine, apples, and his own scent. His moan resonated deep within her, and she
found her body responding to a rhythm as old as the land they lived upon.
Never
did Abela imagine the power behind a kiss—seductive, enchanting, shattering,
and she craved more.
About the Author
Mary's
passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination.
She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her
head from the clouds. It wasn't until the closure of Borders Books where Mary
worked that she found her true calling--writing romance. Now, the worlds she created
in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
If
you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of magic, then time-travel
within the pages of her books.
WEBSITE: http://www.marymorganauthor.com
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMorganAuthor/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/mary.morgan.564
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/
PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marymorgan2/
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