I’ve always wanted a West Highland Terrier. My husband is fond of
large dogs, and I’ve fallen in love with the homeless pups we’ve adopted, but
I’m hoping someday...
One of the great things about being a writer? You can give your
characters the pets you’ve always wanted. That’s how Scruffy ended up in
Highland Yearning. I made him a Westie mix, with a torn ear and bedraggled fur,
but his personality more than makes up for what he lacks in grooming.
Adding a dog as a character was a new experience for me as a
writer. I always had to wonder, where was Scruffy while Caden was kissing
Ariel? Then I had to consider who the dog liked, or didn’t. Animals are as
particular as people, and you can always tell how they feel about a person.
With this in mind, I thought it might be fun to “interview” Scruffy.
Today, I have Scruffy
with me, one of the characters from my latest book.
Scruffy, you weren’t
allowed to speak in Highland Yearning.
(Barking doesn’t count.) So I thought I’d ask some questions about the story
and get the answers from your point of view.
Scruffy’s whole body moved, even his backside followed his
wagging tail. “Finally, I get to tell what really happened.”
And it was quite a
story. Did you know you were going to be sent back in time with Ariel?
He settled down and stared at me. “No one ‘sent’ me back. I
chose to go. A few days before we ended
up in Scotland I was visited by one of the Ring
of Belief’s witches. The witches are okay. This one, Elspeth, is beautiful
by human standards and unlike most humans, she had no trouble understanding me.
The witch asked, very politely, if I wanted to go back to
1775 with Ariel, or stay in this time. I told her I wanted to go back, Ariel
needed me.” Scruffy raised his bushy eyebrows. “Actually, we needed each
other.”
I had the feeling you
weren’t over-fond of Caden, the hero in the story.
In spite of what some readers may believe, I want to state,
for the record, I am not jealous of the hero. Human women are always sighing
over Caden, but I consider him an acquired taste. Oh, he’s big, and can hold
his own in a fight with other humans, but his sense of smell is terrible. It’s
a good thing he doesn’t lose Ariel on a regular basis. I’m used to the Mackay,
and Ariel loves him, so I have to make allowances.
A little bird told me
you found your own ‘lassie’ in Scotland.
Birds talk too much. But yes, I met Ellie there. You won’t
come across a finer West Highland Terrier this side of the Dornoch Firth. She
likes to think she’s ‘domesticated’ me, but that’s only because I let her
believe I’ve been tamed.
She must love
you. I understand you have pups of your
own.
“Aye.” Scruffy stuck out his chest. “They’re fine little
lads and lassies. One of them, Scout, has huge paws for a little pup, but he’ll
grow into them. No doubt, he’ll be bigger than his father.” He cocked his head.
“My pups aren’t nearly as much trouble as Ariel and Caden’s. I don’t envy them
their helpless offspring, they have to keep them around for years.
Is there anything
else you’d like to say about Highland
Yearning while you have the chance?
Scruffy’s eyebrows raised, and his liquid brown eyes
twinkled. “I like what you did with our story. Now, will you write me back to
the Highlands? My family’s waiting.
Highland Yearning
The Mackay Saga
Dawn Ireland
Genre: Highland Time Travel (set in 1775)
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Date of Publication: July 20th
ASIN: B01FMX5KXG
Number of pages: 249 (pdf)
Word Count: 70,000
Cover Artist: Fiona
Book Description:
Caden Mackay would never bed a Sutherland, let alone marry one. Bloody hell, what had possessed his twin brother to propose to one of the she-devils? And what is Caden to do with the Sutherland beauty who appears, as if by magic, in his library? The defiant intruder is the enemy, but she is unlike any woman Caden’s ever known, and her tantalizing curves and wide green eyes could tempt a monk. He must devise a way to stop the wedding. But can he stop the desire that makes him long to make Ariel Sutherland his own?
Ariel’s life had never gone the way she’d hoped, but ending up in eighteenth century Scotland was a stretch, even for her. If not for her dog, Scruffy, she might have thought she’d walked into a romantic daydream. Especially since the object of her desire appears to be entirely too virile. But can she find her way back to her time, before her too-handsome Highlander makes her believe that love can conquer in any century?
Ariel’s life had never gone the way she’d hoped, but ending up in eighteenth century Scotland was a stretch, even for her. If not for her dog, Scruffy, she might have thought she’d walked into a romantic daydream. Especially since the object of her desire appears to be entirely too virile. But can she find her way back to her time, before her too-handsome Highlander makes her believe that love can conquer in any century?
Excerpt:
“Are we done, lassie?” Caden’s
voice sounded tight. Almost as if he were speaking through his teeth.
“I guess so.” She turned and
leaned back against the rough stone. “We’ve searched all the rooms in this part
of the tower.”
“And thanks to you, every person
we came across thinks I’m bedding you.”
“Would you rather I let them know
we were searching for what they consider to be an imaginary ring?” She inclined
her head. “I had to come up with some reason for us to be alone in the upstairs
bedrooms.”
“They’ll never truly believe I’d
bed a Sutherland.”
Ariel reined in her anger. “Yes,
they will. After all, your brother is about to marry a Sutherland.”
He came to within a foot of her.
“Nay, he will not.” His tone softened. “Don’t you ken what other men will think
of you, lassie?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“They’ll believe they can take
liberties, and you’ve no one to protect you.”
“You’re worried about my safety?”
“Aye.”
When was the last time someone
worried about her? Her heart did a little twist. “That’s sweet, but I can take
care of myself.”
“But your reputation—”
“Isn’t a problem. After all, I’m
not staying. If anything, you need to worry about your reputation.” She bit her lip to keep from laughing at the
mixture of frustration and confusion on his face.
She shook her head. “We left some
of those rooms in five or ten minutes. Word could get around that you are . . .
shall we say, less than adequate.”
He smiled, amusement crinkling
the corners of his eyes. “Then I’d have to prove otherwise to every lassie who questioned
it.” His voice lowered and he studied her face. “Would you be wondering about
my capabilities?”
About the Author
“Once Upon a Time” are four of Dawn’s favorite words, because she never knows where they will lead. She writes stories to remind herself that even though things may seem bleak, there is always the possibility of a “Happily Ever After.” If along the way she makes readers smile, cry or see the magic in their everyday lives, then she’s done her job.
Dawn’s written several award-winning novels set in Georgian England and the Highlands – an era filled with rules and intrigue. Her characters often defy “Society” as they pursue love, run away, pursue, run away – well, you get the idea.
Then again, she might write romance in order to do the research. What other profession encourages you to sit in the audience at Harlequin’s Male Model search, and take notes, or just sigh?
When she’s not writing, Dawn may be found singing, gardening, learning to play the harp or wood carving. She lives in a Victorian home in Upstate New York with her husband and very independent cats.
Dawn hopes you’ll read her books, and together you’ll bring to life characters that aren’t perfect, but have a story to tell.
1 comment:
Wenona, thank you for hosting me! I went to Roxanne and said I want to do an interview with a dog, which blog site should I send this to? She suggested you, so I know you must be fun. I enjoyed doing this and I appreciate your help in getting the word out about Highland Yearning!
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