A Writer's Mind: When Friends Become Something More. Promised to a Highland Laird. #timetravel

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

When Friends Become Something More. Promised to a Highland Laird. #timetravel

Waving hello! I always say I’m busy writing but this time it’s tenfold with three upcoming releases by summer. Expect one more Highlander book in May, then my contribution to the Pirates of Britannia series in June, then a brand new Viking book by August.

Before I go any further let’s talk contests! Thanks so much to everybody who participated in December’s holiday contests. What a blast! A huge congrats to Joy for winning the $50 gift card and Christine for winning the $75 gift card. So what’s on the agenda for giveaways this month? Again, I’m keeping it simple. For a chance to win one of two $25 Amazon gift cards, answer the following questions. What is the title of the first book in my upcoming series Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon and who are its hero and heroine? Both answers are located on my Website. Please email the answers to Sky@SkyPurington.com, subject line- VIKINGS. Two winners chosen!

All right, down to business. Today’s book release! Graham and Christina were an absolute delight to write about and likely my most upbeat couple to date. Well, as upbeat as you can be when you’re battling the English, facing otherworldly evil and trying to save Scotland. Nevertheless, I hope they make you smile as much as they did me. So until next time...Happy Reading y'all!

BLURB

Christina has made her own way for as long as she can remember and juggled men for even longer. The love ‘em and leave ‘em type, she finally said goodbye to Virginia, moved to Maine, and made a fresh start. Or so she thought until her best friends were pulled back in time. Better yet, when a stubborn Claddagh ring on her finger declares she can run but can’t hide. Not when it comes to men from medieval Scotland.

First-in-command of MacLomain Castle, Graham MacLomain has more secrets than most and wants nothing to do with a lass from the future. Especially not one who is promised to King Robert the Bruce. Yet the moment he makes contact with Christina before she travels back in time, he is drawn to her. Soon enough, despite his own commitments and a life that can never include her, he’s eager to be by her side.

Friends from the start, Graham and Christina devise a plan to pretend true love found them. Now they can discreetly dodge destiny and follow their own paths. The only problem? Destiny is unavoidable. Passion sparks and love ignites. Days before the Battle of Bannockburn, they’ll have to face the truth and make a heartbreaking choice. Give in to how they truly feel and destroy all those they care about or turn away, and save Scotland from ultimate ruin.

Available now at Amazon

Sneak Peek Excerpt…

He couldn’t stop a smile if he tried. Where had she been all his life? Clearly not in medieval Scotland.

“Aye, lass.” He nodded and kept smiling. “I would verra much like us to be honest with each other.”

“So would I.” Her eyes lingered on his for a moment, her smile just as wide as she nodded then looked ahead again. “Good, I’m glad we got all that awkward stuff out of the way.”

Graham nodded and kept grinning. About the last thing he expected to find when he traveled to the future was a lass like Christina. It almost seemed too good to be true. She was most certainly the one that should be meant for him, and he said as much. “So will ye travel back in time with me, lass?” He gestured at the ring. “Will ye agree to be mine so we can ignite the gem’s magic, and defeat our warlock?”

Christina stopped short, a hint of amusement in her narrowed eyes. “Are you tryin’ to skip all the fun stuff to get to the boring stuff?”

“The fun stuff to get to the boring stuff?” More confused by the moment, he cocked his head. “Shouldn’t it be skip the fun stuff to get to the better stuff?”

“Not in my experience.” She chuckled, following his meaning. “Though I’ll say up front I’m happy that it has been for you.” That same smirk still hovered on her lips. “So there’s been nothing but flirting, fun, happiness and then great sex with all your women, huh?”

Maybe not now but most certainly at one time. So he kept being honest.

“Aye.” He winked. “Verra good sex.”

“Hmm.” She twisted her lips and eyed him up and down with appreciation again. “I really do get it.”

They met each other’s smiles, not a bit of discomfort between them as they discussed things that would be entirely inappropriate with any lass from his time. More than that, anything he would ever talk so casually about with a lass he just met.

“So back to fun stuff not becoming better stuff betwixt us as we move forward together and try to save my country.” He considered her. “Are ye up for it, lass?”

She seemed to contemplate it as she continued eying him. “So let me get this straight. You want to skip all the love and sex and see if we can get out of this ring-binding thing while we pretend to be together?”

“More the pity on the sex part but aye,” he said. “What about ye? Do ye want to move forward with me and take control of our own destiny rather than have anyone or,” he glanced at her ring, “anything dictate it for us?”

She crossed her arms over her ample enough chest and tapped her foot as she thought about it. “Y’know what, Graham, I reckon I do.” She shook her head. “But can it be done? Can we be together without actually being together?”

“I think ‘tis best that we give it a try.” He nodded, more sure of this quickly hatched plan by the moment. “Just as long as ye realize we cannae truly be together.”

“That sounds doable.” Yet he saw the curiosity in her eyes. “So what gives? Are you in love with someone your kin has forbidden?” Her eyes rounded in intrigue. “Secretly married?”

“Is it so important to know?” He remained perfectly honest with her. “Because I would rather not share quite yet.” Graham issued his most charming smile. “Right now, ‘twould be best if, by the time we return to the house, we could say we’re smitten and desire one another.” He shook his head. “And no one else.”