My excerpts for the RNA Scottish Chapter Event Sunday 9th February

SEVERAL BRIEF EXCERPTS from

Love’s Ransom by Gwen Kirkwood.

This is set in 1603 when clans made their own laws and raiders were hung if caught on another man's land. It is earlier and different to my usual stories.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Love%27s+Ransom+by+Gwen+Kirkwood&ref=nb_sb_noss

 Isabella Ellwood was too tense to sleep. Every instinct told her something was wrong. Her brother, Jamie, should have been home from the cattle raid by now.

Isabella said, ‘Sam is more friend than servant.’

Alexander Latimer declared,‘He is fortunate then, but foolish to deliver himself, and you, into our hands. You must love your brother dearly, Isabella Ellwood.’

‘I know the Ellwood lands are near the border but I thought the English had ceased their reiving since 1603?’

‘Most of the time that is so,' Isabella replied, 'but a family within our barony covets our land and – and more.’ She shuddered and delicate colour rose beneath her creamy skin. Alexander’s eyes lit with admiration. He understood. What normal man would not desire such a girl with her beauty, spirit and courage.

                                                  *****

‘I am here because you hold my brother prisoner, Sir. He is innocent. Your men crave the thrill of a hanging. Let them hang me instead of Jamie. A life for a life'

There was a gasp of protest from Sam.

   'First may I write my mother a letter?

 ‘You can read and write?’ Henry asked, his blue eyes alert with interest.

‘Reading and writing! ’Tis all the boy thinks about!’ Sir William said gruffly. He looked at Jamie. `Your sister will stay here in your place, but she will stay as a wife.’

‘A-a wife?’ Isabella’s eyes flew to Alexander’s face. He smiled with delight. Isabella knew he wanted her for his wife. Her heart beat faster, but it was not with the fear or loathing she felt for Neb Truddle. Sir William’s voice broke the invisible thread which drew herself and Zander Latimer together.

‘Instead of celebrating a hanging tonight, we shall celebrate a wedding,' Sir William announced.'I shall enjoy having grandchildren with your spirit , Isabella. Henry, you will have a more worthy bride than ever I could have found for you.’ 

  Zander’s eyes widened, then his face darkened.

   ‘Me?’ Henry’s face paled in shock and dismay.

  ‘Of course. Who else can give me grandsons with the Douglas name?

Scottish Chapter Saturday 8th February

 As many of you will know The RNA Scottish Chapter have been holding a weekend of romantic fiction on Facebook with authors putting up a short excerpt of one (or two) of their own books. Everyone who is interested was invited to comment or ask questions. This is the link but there is not much time left to comment and be entered into the prize draw. Even if you miss that you can still see all the books and comments. The link is below under "Discussion"

 https://www.facebook.com/events/172509054027536

 This was my offering for Saturday but I have been plagued by the internet flashing on and off both days due to the stormy weekend. You can also see the first paragraph in the previous blog.

 Excerpts from SECRETS IN THE HEATHER                                  

 ‘Victoria is not coming at all next week!’ Andrew burst out with more anger than he realised.

‘I see.’ Miss Traill frowned. ‘Have you quarrelled?’

‘Not exactly. Mark Jacobs is coming home. She is saving her day off for him.

 ‘And you think Victoria loves him?’

‘I suppose she must do.’

‘You suppose? You’ve known each other all your lives and you would rather torture yourself than ask her a simple question? I thought you had more courage.’ Andrew flushed uncomfortably.

‘Sometimes it’s better not to know …’

                                                                ************

‘Doctor and Mrs Grantly have invited me to dinner next Wednesday,’ Victoria said. ‘Doctor Grantly has an announcement to make.’

‘What has that to do with me?’ Andrew shrugged.

‘Oh Andrew, I know you’re busy and tired, but please don’t be cross. I need you to come. Mrs Grantly says I must bring someone whose friendship I value. You’re my very best friend.’

‘Am I?’ Andrew asked cynically. ‘You’re mixed up, Victoria.’

‘You mean … you’re not my friend? You won’t come …?’ Her voice trembled. Her brown eyes were dark with distress. Andrew felt his heart would burst with love for her.

‘Oh all right. What time?’ Her face was transformed like sunshine after rain.

‘Oh thank you!’ She hugged his arm. ‘It’s at seven-thirty.’

 ‘I’ll call for you in the car.’ It felt good to say that, although he barely used it since Mr Rennie died. It cost petrol and he could pedal his bicycle for nothing.

None of the four young people who gathered at the doctor’s house that evening could ever have guessed the secret he would reveal, or known the effect it would have on all their futures.

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Heather-Gwen-Kirkwood-ebook/dp/B07ZRBF7T2/ref  99p

https://www.isis-publishing.co.uk. For audio book suppliers of Secrets in the Heather

RNA 60TH ANNIVERSARY.-SCOTTISH CHAPTER ROMANTIC WEEKEND ON Face Book

The link below will take you to the Face Book page with details of the RNA Scottish Chapter's romantic weekend - 8th and 9th February when several Scottish romantic authors will be posting a BRIEF extract from one of their books. You are invited to send in comments and questions and we shall do our best to reply. Some authors are offering a free book in a prize draw for those of you taking part. The book I am offering is an e-book of MOORLAND MIST because it is the first in my most recent series. The book I shall be discussing is Secrets In The Heather - first in an earlier series of 3 books.  

 https://www.facebook.com/events/172509054027536/?event_time_id=172509060694202  

  

This is the short passage I am considering but I may change my mind by the weekend. It is the beginning of the book. Do you wonder what happens next? I know it does not seem at all romantic but I assure readers it is if they continue. 

  

Secrets in the Heather

Thirteen year old Andrew Pringle found himself further up the glen than he had ever been on his own but he was eager to catch a glimpse of the vixen and her cubs. He knew he ought to keep well away from the old quarry but he was sure he had heard a whimper from an animal in distress.  His blue eyes scanned the scrub and rough grass which had grown up in crevices since the quarry was last worked a dozen years ago.  The whimper came again. He thought it was below him and he stepped as near the edge as he dare. Loose stones and rocks immediately broke away, rolling and crashing over the jagged outcrops, some of them to land in the water which had gathered far below.  Andrew shuddered, but the animal whined again. He had to investigate.  He lay on his stomach and eased himself towards the edge of the quarry.  He gasped when he realised he was on the edge of an overhang which could break away any minute. He edged back. The whimper of the animal became more distinct, more urgent. It doesn't want me to leave, Andrew thought.

                He walked along the rim of the quarry until he thought the ground was firmer. Again he lay on his stomach and squirmed forward. Almost directly beneath him was a narrow ledge. A scrubby sapling seemed to have sprouted from the bare rock but it was enough to prevent the animal from falling to its death. It was not a fox. It was a collie dog. Andrew's heart began to thump. His eyes searched the surrounding area. There was no path to the ledge, but there were several boulders interspersed with stunted bushes. He judged the ledge was not much more than twelve feet below him. He refused to let his mind dwell on the nothingness beyond. He was not usually impulsive, but he knew the collie was pleading for help and his young heart couldn't resist. He eased himself over the edge.

  

Final Series to complete book list to 31st December 2019

It is a long time since I last entered anything on this blog and I am struggling to recall all the things I had learned about blogging so please bear with me if things are not placed as I would like. 

I shall try to write about various aspects - maybe nature, farming, gardening and the occasional  recipe. I do not want to write only about my books although you might think I do from the post below. I am bringing the list of my books up to date. I often write in series so I think it is better if you can see the order in which the books tell the story of the families involved.

********.

Moorland Mist

Book 1 Starts around 1895 in Scotland

UK 99p https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082VHDMT2
US 99c https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082VHDMT2
AU 99c https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B082VHDMT2
CA 99c https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B082VHDMT2/ 

---

Moorend Farm - Book 2

continues the life of the Sinclairs when they move to Yorkshire believing they have left the shame of the past behind them.

MOOREND FARM
UK £1.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082VJLNSD/                 
 US $2.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082VJLNSD
AU $3.99 https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B082VJLNSD/
CA $2.99 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B082VJLNSD

Published as e-books by Joffe Books 

Return  to Bonnybrae

Book 3. 

A member of the Sinclair family feels insecure and returns to Scotland hoping to find the truth and his roots.


A Scottish Destiny
book4
  Marie Sinclair goes on a temporary
 visit to Scotland to help her
 ailing sister-in-law and care for her
 young niece but does her final destiny
 lie in Scotland or in Yorkshire?

                                                                      

                 

 

 

  Love Has No Borders - Book 5                                                  This takes us to the third generation of Sinclairs during and after the second world war

Free download 26th to 30 October 2015

Another Free download from Monday to Friday 26th to 30th October 2015. Originally published by My Weekly and Chivers Large Print, now published as an e-book by Endeavour Press.

Sheana Lyon is determined to give her young brother the best family life she can after they lose their parents in a car accident. She is working hard to keep their small farm beside the Solway Firth and has plans to diversify to improve their income.
 Dean Fawcette is a stranger who has returned to his grandfather's old home of Fingaeli, bordering Creagbowie land. Will his ideas, and the ambitions of his ruthless secretary, Charlene, threaten the plans that are so vital to Sheana and her family?
Dean's business empire is successful and expanding but he feels there is something missing in his life while Sheana will stop at nothing to realise her dream for her brother's future, but what will it cost her?


 

Another FREE download 14th to 18th September 2015

 

A New Beginning by Gwen Kirkwood http://amzn.to/1ifrQpJ free to download 14 to 18 September2015  Published as an e-book by Endeavour Press and available from Amazon at the above link.

This is a shorter more gentle romance than my usual sagas. It was originally published  by My Weekly under the title Shattered Dreams. I thought that sounded a little depressing, especially as I like all my books to end with optimism and hope, and in the case of light romances they usually end in love - even if the journey is sometimes a struggle.

Roni has been brought up by loving grandparents but they did not realise she is dyslexic, and feels inadequate without them. She loves the small market garden and she enjoys painting the plants and flowers around her but she needs to know something of accounts to run a business on her own. She badly needs help. The lecturer and his wife are kindly people and take her under their wing but their son makes her feel unwelcome in his home. In the past he has enjoyed helping young people but he is bitter since his formerly active life has been turned upside down.


Here is a reminder of another  bargain. Download Secrets in the Heather for 99p re-published by Accent Press available for the month of September 2015.

This is the first in a series of three novels beginning shortly after the First World War. More details in previous blog

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